Monday, June 21, 2004

Are You My Daddy? Double Speak

The state of Michigan wants to know more daddies, for the kids’ sake of course, but not really.

"Fewer Michigan children had men legally named as their fathers last year than in 2002, prompting the state to target the 28 largest birthing centers in an effort to identify more dads.

The idea is to ensure that children get both the emotional and financial support they need, said Marilyn Stephen, director of the state’s Office of Child Support."

Just looking out for the kids, right Ms. Stephen, or are there other considerations?

"It also helps the state’s bottom line by making sure single moms get child support rather than welfare, and by maintaining federal funds that require 90 percent paternity establishment for births to unmarried women."

Got to maintain those federal funds.

But that emotional support from dads, if they can be called that; men who wham, bam, thank you maam, I’ll see ya later; is important, right?

"Establishing paternity can help foster crucial bonding between men and their babies, Stephen said. And it lays the legal groundwork for the father to support his child financially.

“It’s important for the stability of the family,” Stephen said.

A supportive father is important, without question, but,

"Because Michigan dipped below the 90 percent rate required for full federal funding, it will lose at least part of the $30 million it received in 2002, Stephen said. It’s unclear exactly how much that will be because 2003 paternity-establishment numbers are not official until reviewed by the feds. But Stephen said it’s enough that state officials want to get started immediately on boosting them."

Double speak.

“State ups efforts to identify dads."

Posted by John Venlet on 06/21 at 05:28 PM
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