Working Paper Abstract

Evidence of the Effectiveness of Child Support and Visitation: Examining Food Insecurity among Children with Nonresident Fathers
Steven Garasky and Susan D. Stewart
 

Abstract:
Over six million children who reside with a single mother and have a father who lives elsewhere are food insecure. This study examines the effectiveness of two aspects of nonresident father involvement, in-person visitation and financial contributions, in reducing food acquisition problems using data from the National Survey of America's Families. We find that frequent visits by nonresident fathers are related to a reduced likelihood that the resident mother’s household will experience indicators of food insecurity. The effects of child support receipt on reducing food acquisition problems, however, are less consistent. Our results support policies designed to recognize and encourage nonresidential parents to make both monetary and non-monetary contributions to the lives of their children.

The complete document may be downloaded or viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download it from Adobe.