Here begins an extensive study on the ideologies and practices of the American Child Support system. By use of logic and all that is intellectually rational, this study will challenge the minds behind the design and function of the this system, question the overall objectives, and analyze the progress of Federal, State, and Bureaucratic agencies where it pertains to this system's involvement with children, mothers, fathers and families.

The study is based on information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Administration for Children and Families, further sectioned off into the Office of Child Support Enforcement. Under the section called "Selected DHHS Fact Sheets," there is subsection entitled HHS Fatherhood Initiative," which is the focus of the study.

According to this section, the government - through the use of Federally Mandated Laws - is attempting to encourage men to be fathers to their children, which is by all means and under the laws of nature expected of men. No man should ever purposely abandon his children neither physically nor financially, but should make every effort to be a support for them both ways. Now we come to the challenge.

The HHS Fatherhood Initiative is simply one of many sections on the website that preach the obligation of fathers to their children and the policies involved in collecting money due the child(ren). Nowhere, however, through all the political jargon are there provisions or plans that address the responsibilities of the mother/woman. The question is why?

In the beginning of this study, we will address briefly the "overview" of the HHS Fatherhood Initiative, which is a type of summary or mission statement for the program. Throughout the rest of the study, which will be updated and published weekly, we will interject rebuttals and challenge the Federally mandated ideologies of this government's system of Child Support enforcement.

HHS FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE
Overview: Committed parents are crucial to strong and successful families and to the well-being of children. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is determined to ensure that its programs and policies recognize the importance of both mothers and fathers and that we support men and women in their roles as parents.

Interjection
The first sentence makes perfect sense, and is true beyond dispute; on this we agree. But remember, what words used as policy must be recognized and honored as practice or else the practice is nothing more than mere words.

The second and last sentence, again, words on paper can enforce any law or will upon humanity when backed by an entire government judicial system. However, the goal is to "ensure that its programs and policies recognize the importance of both mothers and fathers and that we support men and women in their roles as parents." Indeed, the program is setup to recognize and support men as parents, but what the HHS neglects to explain why it has to assume this role in the first place.

Of course, the model citizen would never question this role of the government and suppose it a natural duty, thus giving the go-ahead for government intervention into the family, and now that there is intervention by government, the citizen has given over many "rights" unknowingly, to the rearing their own children and the capacity to manage their own personal and family relationships.

This study is going to prove beyond a doubt that the Child Support system is not only intrusive, but also biased toward men and inflexible. Please return for the continuation of this study when we introduce how the Clinton administration - through advocacy with the Women's Rights movement - changed the meaning of being a father years to come.

Excerpt
In June 1995, President Clinton challenged all federal agencies to reach out to fathers to support their positive involvement in the lives of their children. In May 1996, federal agencies came together in a conference hosted by Vice President Gore, and sponsored by the Domestic Policy Council, the National Partnership for Reinventing Government, and HHS, to share lessons learned and innovative ideas about involving fathers.

>>> Part 1
>>> Part 2
>>> Part 3
>>> Conclusion

Source From: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/fct/fthr990621.htm

© 2005 by CR Hamilton