Rick,
Way back in the 80's I represented women whose husbands QUIT their jobs to avoid paying child support (or got a friendly employer to fire them). One father (an engineer) went to work at another company but said he was unemployed. We had him followed (private investigator) in the early morning and found out where he went to work.
Another, with another friendly boss, also "lost" his job to avoid child support. Then, the employer started paying him under the table so his check couldn't be garnished.
Two out of probably 20 divorce cases I handled. Ten percent. Probably high and not indicative, but it certainly happens enough to be a problem.
But, what about women who have children, don't get child support (father long gone or in prison or what have you) and receive welfare? I think it should be the state pays for one child (unless they were conceived in marriage and the father disappears) born outside of a family bond. Any more children born with no father around to support the child is the responsibility of the mother. That should be an incentive to use birth control or get sterilized and it would be voluntary, not coerced.
I'm old enough to have formed this opinion 40 years ago. I was responsible and didn't bring into this world any more children than I could afford. I believe that all women (unfortunately, they are the ones who bear the brunt of bearing and raising children) need to be responsible. I was going to have my tubes tied after my second child (ended up having a hysterectomy instead) because I didn't want any more children and I didn't want to risk birth control pills for the rest of my child-bearing years.
