Full Citation
Title: A Research Note on Trends in the Stock and Flow of Child Support Agreements
Citation Type: Journal Article
Publication Year: 2023
ISBN:
ISSN:
DOI: 10.1215/00703370-11075477
NSFID:
PMCID:
PMID:
Abstract: In this research note, we demonstrate that trends in the likelihood of child support agreements differ by marital history (i.e., never-married vs. ever-married) and by whether measures rely on the stock of families (i.e., all those in which children live apart from a parent) or the flow (i.e., those that include children who newly live apart from a parent) in a given year. While previous research has highlighted differences by marital history, the contrast between stock and flow is a new contribution. Trends are typically measured with reference to the stock of cases, even while the flow of cases, which more immediately reflects concurrent policy changes, is more relevant in many contexts. Interpretations of recent declines in child support agreements in the stock of cases—referenced as evidence for both mandating participation and the impracticality of requiring child support—may be better informed by considering the flow of cases. We find the flow of previously married mothers increasingly likely to have child support agreements, while the likelihood is relatively consistent over time for never-married mothers. For both groups, using the flow measure, we find notable increases in agreements without payments due in the most recent period. These findings underscore the importance of differentiating stock and flow, and by marital history, in considering the proportion with agreements as an indicator of the effectiveness of current policy.
Url: http://read.dukeupress.edu/demography/article-pdf/doi/10.1215/00703370-11075477/2031422/11075477.pdf
User Submitted?: No
Authors: Cancian, Maria; Costanzo, Molly A; Iel, Dan; Meyer, R
Periodical (Full): Demography
Issue:
Volume: 60
Pages: 1-10
Data Collections: IPUMS CPS
Topics: Family and Marriage, Reproductive and Sexual Health
Countries: