Since we seem to be on the subject of deadbeat parents....What do you consider a deadbeat parent to be?

Question

Do you consider it to be a parent who pays no child support?

A parent who does not participate in their childs life?

Both?

Which do you think is worse?

While I personally feel both are horrible examples for a parent, I believe a parent who does not participate in their childs life is a pretty poor example of a human being.

Answer 1

Well a parent is a deadbeat if they don't pay child support but think you wont have to deal with them being around no support no visits,  But personally I think  a dead beat parent is one who leaves and doesn't call or see if there child is ok, has money but absolutely REFUSES to give it to you to help the child,  I think there bad if you put another person over them such as a deadbeat girl friend!  Lets see...When they do decide to call its to tell you they want to see there daughter but when you say where its well nevermind i forgot so so is coming over, you child wants to to hold them but you have to go get "drunk" or you have to go get "high" that is my opinion of a dead beat parent

Answer 2

A deadbeat parent is my sister. She has 2 girls (5 and 8 years old) and she just leaves them in daycare until midnight on school nights (daycare is 24hours.) She wont help her kids with their homework. She worries more about going out and drinking than taking care of her kids. She doesnt bring them to the doctor. She has a revolving door of boyfriends coming and going. Need I say more?

Answer 3

Oh boy do i love this question! My husband's ex wife is a dead beat parent! My husband has full custody of their daughter, and should recieve child support. Well, not only does she NOT send money, but she doesn't call, doesn't wirte, doesn't show any interest whatsoever! She's used so many SORRY excuses, but it usually boils down to her not really giving a c**p about her daughter! THAT IS A DEADBEAT PARENT!

Answer 4

I consider a dead beat parent as both some one who doesnt pay child support and doesn't particiapate in the child's life. being in the child's life is more important then money though.

Answer 5

Anyone person who does not show love, respect, support, and time for the life they created is a deadbeat parent to me.

Answer 6

Both but the worse one is not participating in the child's life.

Answer 7

Both, Because I am in this position with my sons dad.  I would have to say not participating in his life is worse. Because it does not hurt you or the other parent, it hurts the child.

Answer 8

You don't have to be away from a child to be a deadbeat.  I'll give you the perfect example of a deadbeat parent.

A parent who insists that the older child take care of the younger child- and when I say take care of, I mean to raise this child.

The parent requires the children to do everything for them including clean the whole house and not participate, cook for them, work to pay bills and go to school (while requiring straight As and nothing less without physical punishment).

A parent who beats their children for nothing and then acts like they will kill the child if they so much as think about retaliating.  

In other words, my mother.

Answer 9

A deadbeat could be someone behind on support payments, but it could be because they lost their job.

A deadbeat could be a father who doesn't see his child, but it could be because the mother moved far away so the other parent can't see them as much.  

A deadbeat could be a single mother who's school age kids run the street late at night.  But the single mother could be low income and working 2 jobs to support her family.

Overall, I think the word "deadbeat" is overused by judgemental people who don't want to take responsibility for helping their community.  If you see a child that's poor, abused or alone because of their parent(s), step up and help the child in need instead of labeling others with childish names.

Answer 10

I would consider a dead beat parent to be someone who nevers wants to be involved in their children's lives. Aren't there for the kids. Put themselves first. Don't work. Are on welfare, medicaid, etc. I say that people shouldn't get into a relationship, have a child, then ditch the child and the child's other parent.

Answer 11

All single parents are deadbeats... children should be raised in a 2 parent household.

Anyone who would deprive a child of 2 parental units is a deadbeat.

A woman who has a fatherless child is also a deadbeat.

Unless you can raise a child right, adopt or abort.

Answer 12

Both. All parents give up their rights in the ME department. Kids first always.