BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN the case of single parents, it is mainly the woman who shoulders the responsibility of raising a child or children while the father financially supports the child/children by will or by force.
However, in the event that it is the other way around and the child resides with the father, should he still be responsible for paying child support to the mother? This is the question SKNVibes asked a number of individuals.
A TDC Airlines worker said no, because that means the father would be supporting the woman and not the child.
A mother of four named Nicky said, “Of course not,” while indicating that some women have no morals about them. “What would she be receiving the money for? But then again, there are some men stupid enough to pay. So that’s why some women will still expect the money,” she added.
Shamella Ephraim also replied in the negative and stated not as long as the man is doing the things he is supposed to do and taking care of the child.
A young woman referred to as Baby Boasting, who was very sensitive about the topic, stated, “The child already lives with him…he already spending the money. Come on man, some of us women too bad, what would he be paying for?”
“Some woman don’t have nothing about them, how can a woman in she right mind expect a man to pay child support for a child that lives with him? A child he has to feed everyday…I know for sure I would not be that man. She would have to take me to court and any judge grant that got to be crazy,” said Nigel in sharing his mouthful.
A Cable worker indicated that the father is already supporting the child so there should be no need for him to pay child support. He went on to say, “They live in the same house and the father is providing the child’s every need on a daily basis, and is even doing extra.”
Shereena, in her opinion said, “No way. If anybody should be paying child support it should be the mother.”
An elderly man named Mackintosh was also of the same opinion.
George bluntly said, “No. The child is living there, getting food, clothes and everything. What child support the mother could want? Some mother’s too greedy! If the father is not taking care of his responsibilities and the mother has to step in, well then that’s a different story.”
One individual claimed that although most people would say no to the question, there are still many mothers who would find many reasons as to why they think they should still receive child support in a situation such as this one.
Child support in the Federation is set at $75 weekly per child until he/she reaches the age of 18, and the money is to be spent on the child’s needs.
According to a representative from the Social Services Department, if a child is in the father’s care he is responsible for the maintenance of that child and should only be required to pay child support if it were ordered by a judge.
She also stated that if the father wants the mother to pay child support to him, he would have to take her to court or else she is not obligated to do so.
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