I’m a news buff. I browse several different news outlets, several times a day for updates and even watch several nightly (local, national and international) news broadcasts. While surfing around on CNN.com, I stumbled onto an article about a gentlemen who, about 4 years ago, received some paper work about an alleged daughter (though through DNA test, has been proven isn’t his child). This man spent a night in jail and is being required by the state of Florida to continue to pay $305 a month and $10k in back child support, for a child that is not his because they say he missed the paternity deadline (where he could contest it).

There is something horribly wrong with the “child support system”. I’m speaking from my own account, after witnessing things with my youngest sister and brother. My sister was lucky she ever received a penny out of her ex-boyfriend for any of their 3 children. To date, I believe he’s paid, maybe, $200. She sought for child support, through the legal system and was told she was entitled to approximately $50 per week. Not per child, for all 3 total. That’s an estimated $200 per month and to date, she’s only received the $200 or so mentioned. Why? Because he works under the table for his “full time” job and what’s reported to the state is very minimal. It’s disgusting that a single mom (though she’s since gotten married) would have to struggle to support herself and 3 children with no better assistance than that, while “dad” gets to earn oodles and not have to disclose it. Now, this is coming from the state of Georgia, my home state. After reading this article though, it’s apparent it’s not just “Georgia”, it appears to be a national problem that needs to be addressed! I personally feel that the states should require fathers to work full time jobs, that report all wages (at least 36 hours per week of reported earnings, since that’s considered full time). I’m sure their are slackers feeding off of the system, in fact, I’m sure of it as I’ve even known of them myself. In whole though, this is a perfect example of why many women need assistance (in my opinion of course, please share your own if you wish).

My brother has a child, that many of us (including him) believe isn’t his own. As this child has aged, you can see physical features that are not of his (my brother) and our families but more of the man his ex slept with (allegedly). My brother, however, is not willing to take a paternity test (at this point) because this is “his” child. We all love this child as my brother’s child (my nephew, parents grandchild and so on). Nothing is going to change that at this stage in our life. However, my brother was told several years ago by his lawyer that if he did contest it, he’d still have to pay child support because he signed the birth certificate (he had no idea about her “indiscretion” at the time). Thankfully though, like I said, my brother and our family is strongly attached to this child and couldn’t imagine turning this child away regardless of who he does or doesn’t look like.

For the man in the article though, he never knew about this “child” until 4 years ago. A child that has been proven is not his and even her mother has signed an affidavit stating he is in fact, not the father! I feel bad for this guy and really hope they’re willing to overturn this decision and not require him to support a child that isn’t his (especially when they sent paper work AFTER the deadline, which is a clear sign he had NO Idea).