Child support: Govt should relieve burden of collection

Clivebenss SG

WHILE the commentary ('Time to get tough on enforcing child support'; Sept 30) is right in highlighting the fact that implementation is key, Ms Laurelle He's letter yesterday ('Child support: Set up a state agency for collecting payments') merits consideration.

With the rising cost of living, enforcing maintenance is becoming increasingly important. Because the process of collecting maintenance is tedious, many do not do so.

The process should not be an obstacle to the very people child support laws are supposed to help.

There is nothing wrong with child support laws per se as they are clear. The authorities must now work on applying the laws by relieving claimants of the burden of collection.

A law cannot make an errant parent be responsible towards his child, but it can and should keep him in check, and ensure that the child receives decent means of support.

Errant parents who are concerned about the lack of access should make themselves available to counselling or parenting workshops with their estranged spouses to resolve the issue.

Defaulting on maintenance payments meant to fulfil a growing child's needs undermines an important value - care - which is the foundation of the parent-child relationship.

Those who grapple with unemployment and financial difficulties will simply have to rise above the circumstances and learn the values of thrift and parental responsibility.

Perhaps ordering them to seek employment through recruitment agencies, in addition to having them attend financial counselling, would be more productive.

Errant parents should remember that a maintenance order is not an appeal to sympathy or charity, but a call to stand up to their parental duty and exercise unconditional care.

Phyllis Christe (Ms)

Clivebenss SG

'How do children protect themselves from an irresponsible parent who uses the law to demand support?'

MR GOH JUANQ LONG: 'I commend the proposal to hold mediation sessions between children and parents before resorting to legal redress ('Maintenance of parents: MPs want law amended'; Tuesday).

While it is largely true that children who do not support their parents are usually unfilial, there may sometimes be a good reason for the children to withhold support.

One is abandonment. If a parent abandons responsibility in caring for the child, it is unfair of the law to force the child to care for him when he suddenly shows up and demands support when the child becomes a productive adult. Such issues also raise another question: How do the children protect themselves from an irresponsible parent who uses the law to demand support?'

Clivebenss SG

really depends on situation.