Deadbeat Parent Pizza Boxes

[Polly]

:furious http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070325/ap_on_re_us/pizza_wanted_posters;_ylt=AhvFEJDv5LW8FGDlcNUvxtFH 2ocA

Is this an invasion of privacy? I say no.

Polly

[Lori]

I don't know how I feel about that. If somebody is choosing not to pay child support when they could, then I have no problem with the state doing what it needs to do to track them down, but I would have a problem with something like this being using a publically shame a parent who is making an effort to pay child support but, for any number of reasons, haven't been able to keep up with. An uninsured parent having a medical emergency could put them in a situation where they could very easily get way, way behind on child support. In cases like that, or of extended unemployment despite the parent's efforts to get a job, I would have a big problem with the other parent using something like this as a way to punish them.

[Beka]

I personally like it- I married a man raised in extreme poverty because his father constantly failed to make child maintanence payments yet he was driving around in a fancy car, raising David's step sister and half brother in a large, bought home with everything they wanted and my MIL was stuck raising 3 kids in a small 2 bedroom apartment feeding them on instant noodles and other such glamorous things at times! If this program makes men like my fil (then) who are intentionally avoiding payment (putting assets in a new partners name even though they've never worked etc) have to pay then it's good imo.

obviously though i'd only like to see it used on the most extreme and intentional non-payers, like Lori states there can be genuine reasons for non-payment, however it does still annoy me the absent parent can be excused for only making an effort when they can as the lone parent raising the kids doesn't have the option to only feed, clothe and keep a secure home around them when they can they constantly have to go the extra mile to ensure those needs are met.

[gr8mommy]

Hmm. I think it would be more likely to tip off a deadbeat to skedaddle than it would enable a pizza guy to make an ID.

[Beka]

Hmm. I think it would be more likely to tip off a deadbeat to skedaddle than it would enable a pizza guy to make an ID.

very true but i think the idea is the pizza boxes go out to those who are living in the same locality as these people and would recognise them having previously had no idea they were avoiding support payments and those people call in and report where they are living (England does something similar with encouraging people to report people making fraudulent welfare claims) Think about it if i realised one of my neighbours was driving a nice car, living fancy and then i realised he had 3 kids who's mother could barely keep them in clothes because he wouldn't pay i'd call and report them.

[Kristi]

I think it is a good idea for those who truly are deadbeat parents and not paying the child support that they should be.

[Kami]

Hmm.. I'm not really sure how I feel about this one. I will have to ponder it and coem back! ;)