The disparity of some single parents in the United States may force them to go to drastic measures to make ends meet.  I am speaking of the single mother or father that is owed child support payments.  You probably see and talk with them everyday unbeknownst to you.  Whether it is taking on a second or in some cases third, job to pay the bills, they are in our work-force doing the best they can as the custodial parent. 

This brings up the issue of even having the time to even be a part of their children’s lives.  It is limited because they are either working or sleeping so that they can have the rest to go back to work to start the cycle all over again.  This makes it difficult for the custodial parent to participate in activities (homework, sports, social, etc.) with their children as other traditional two-parent families do.

Non-supporting parents are a contributing factor in making it difficult for their children to live in a surrounding that is conducive for mental and physical growth.  Just by virtue of losing one parent, single parent children tend to have a lower psychological well-being, more behavioral problems, less education, lower job status, lower standards of living, lower marit

For those parents that are providing the monetary support as ordered by the court (men and women alike), I applaud their sense of responsibility.  For those that are not, their sins will find them out eventually.  The maximum penalty for non-payment of child support is two years in prison and that will give them plenty of time to reflect on their responsibilities to their children. 

We need to encourage single parents not to give up the fight and inform them that help is available to collect the back child support owed to their children.  Help them by pointing them in the right direction and give them the link to The Office of Child Support Enforcement as well as other helpful links for information on how to enforce their rights.