University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California 93106-9210
June 27, 2001

Congressman Wally Herger
Chairman, Subcommittee on Human Resources
Committee on Ways and Means
United States Congress
Rayburn House Office Building, Room B317
Washington, D.C. 20515

Re: Hearing on Child Support and Fatherhood Proposals
June 28, 2001

Dear Congressman Herger:

I appreciate the opportunity to submit this letter for the Hearing record.

I strongly support the President in his efforts to enhance the role of non-custodial fathers in the lives of their children. There is a growing body of scientific evidence that the lives of children are much improved when they are raised by their fathers as well as their mothers. My own research demonstrates that a father's presence in the home significantly reduces the prospects that his son will be charged with a crime between the ages of 14 and 22. There are various proposals to enhance contact between fathers and children, and I hope that your committee will lead the way.

Among the major benefits that follow from continued contact between a father and his children is the payment of child support. There is also evidence that fathers who frequently see their children are more likely to make these payments, while those who have little contact with them often neglect these responsibilities. Data indicate that among fathers who do not see their children at all, only 16.2 percent pay any child support, while among fathers who see their children more frequently than several times a year, 64.2 percent make these payments. [Judith A. Seltzer, "Relationships Between Fathers and Children Who Live Apart," Journal of Marriage and the Family, Vol. 53, February 1991, p. 86.]

The problems of child support collection and continued contact between father and children are not separate issues but rather two sides of the same one. For this reason, I commend your efforts to deal with these matters in a coordinated fashion.

I am submitting this statement on my own behalf, and not for any client or organization. Furthermore, my views do not necessarily reflect those of the University of California.

Sincerely,

William S. Comanor
Professor of Economics