So does John Engler, the Republican governor of Michigan. And more than 1.6 million children in Michigan need to have something done about it. He said research shows that Fathers who have consistent access to their children are far more likely to provide financial support. They're a small fringe of the population.
Single mothers are the majority with problems getting support.
Frequently young fathers are unemployed and unable to pay. Chavez favors enforcement programs that compel mothers to allow fathers to see their kids, and programs that provide job training and promote emotional involvement by the fathers. Holman and Chavez said the emotional needs of children for their fathers are being ignored in favor of trying to squeeze more money from dads who do not have custody of their children. Somewhat surprisingly, Geraldine Jensen, president of the Toledo-based ACES, agreed. Jensen said her group has proposed a child support insurance program similar to Social Security that would guarantee an income for the children of single parents.