Should unemployed fathers go to jail or be given a job?

Question

That is if they can't make child support payments. Wouldn't a mandatory jobs program be better than jail?

Answer 1

He should be given all the opportunity to find suitable employment. Maybe some mandatory skill training to help find a job with a decent salary. He would choose what classes he would be interested in, like bookeeping, construction, excetera.  We had a program in my city, once, where all persons that were unemployed/underemployed were eligable to train to find better paying jobs. This was administered through the State Department of Labor and Training. If you were collecting Unemployment you continued to do so, or if you had no income at all, you recieved a stiped as long as you were in school.

  

Answer 2

I would just rather my "unemployed" ex who actually earns close to $100,000 in his own business, pay the $1 a day he is supposed to pay.  

Somewhat bitter?  You bet I am.  

But to answer your question - no I dont believe jail is the appropriate option - its something for those people who are a risk to the community and not dead beat dads/mums.  

Answer 3

Neither.

Fathers that do not want to help pay for or raise their children should be able to walk away and sign over all rights to the kids to their mothers. Then they should get vasectomies so they don't just keep sowing babies like weeds.

Mothers should also bear the responsiblity of their actions. I am tired of meeting woman that have 11 kids by 7 different guys. I mean come on- 2 kids are enough. Just replace yourself, don't overpopulate the world anymore than you have to.

Answer 4

Rationally speaking, as a society we have a vested interest in finding suitable employment for unemployed fathers.

From the perspective of modern Feminists, fathers should be imprisoned by virtue of their gender.

Answer 5

Sounds good to me. It's tough out there right now. My boyfriend is getting laid off after 10 years with a company. Thankfully, he has no prior children (that we know of) so he's not having to worry about paying for a child.

I think a work program should be in order for those who are having trouble finding work. That's a great idea. I don't think he should be thrown in jail because he's fallen on hard times. Layoffs are happening all too frequently, and dads who pay shouldn't be penalized for it.

Answer 6

That sounds good at first, but you'd be surprised how many of them will quit jobs to avoid paying support or find jobs where they get paid under the table so their income in harder to track.

Answer 7

It sounds very nice but where do the, "mandatory jobs" come from? Most countries have some degree of unemployment already. If the government start job agencies, backed by the taxpayer, for people who can't pay child support you are going to create more competition for the people doing the job already and just move the unemployment round. It is also futile to send a man to jail for not having any money to pay child support. This is just an extra burden for the tax payer. If the family were still together as a family they would have to sort out their finances for themselves. It is all very well a third party saying this is what you must pay but if you haven't got it you can't pay it.

Answer 8

That is a very good question and a very good resolution to an increasing problem in this country

Answer 9

they should get jobs just cause they cant afford child support doesnt mean anything like they are bad people give them a chance at a job n if they dont do well at their job like if they dont go to it then they should go to jail...

Answer 10

Yes it would be more beneficial; not only that it will guarantee said father to feel better about himself, it will serve to heighten his selfworth.

Answer 11

Putting an unemployed father in jail would be daft. How does that solve the problem at hand? Instead the problem of inadequate funds continues and it also leaves a child without a father in their life.

Fathers shouldn't be given jobs either but they should be given the assistance needed to find a job that allows them to financially support themselves and their child with the best of their ability.

Answer 12

The whole system just sucks balls.