A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Child support policy in middle- and low-income countries: current approaches and policy dilemmas




AuthorsCuesta Laura, Hakovirta Mia, Haapanen Mari, Meyer Daniel

PublisherCambridge University Press

Publishing placeCambridge

Publication year2023

JournalJournal of International and Comparative Social Policy

Journal acronymJICSP

eISSN2169-978X

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1017/ics.2023.4

Web address https://doi.org/10.1017/ics.2023.4

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/179423900


Abstract

Little is known about government policies that regulate economic transfers between separated parents (child support) outside of high-income countries. This paper provides the first broad overview of child support policy and its outcomes in 37 middle- and low-income countries. Using a systematic literature review, we provide information on child support policies in these countries, considering institutional arrangements, procedures for determining how much child support is due and how obligations are enforced. Using descriptive statistics on individual-level data from the Luxembourg Income Study Database, we show that poverty rates are high among lone-mother families and that fewer than one-third of lone mothers receive child support. Among those who receive, however, amounts average over $3,600 US$/year, making child support an important income source for some. We discuss how current policies and their estimated outcomes are similar to (or differ from) the previous work that focused on high-income countries.


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Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 17:58