Child support.

The most frequented court for baby momma and baby daddy aside from Divorce Court, followed up by Maury.

Child support is, at its core, support for a child or children under the age of eighteen after the mother and father get a divorce. In theory, child support is to act as a de facto second income strictly meant for children once the non-custodial parent leaves the household. Or, according to the state of Michigan, a chance to be a baby momma suga daddy.

Yeah, you heard that right. A man in Detroit had owed over $30,000 in child support to a child that wasn't even his. Look, just save yourself the trouble, get the kid a brand new car for their birthday. The most insane part was the mother was knowingly lying to obtain welfare benefits for her child. This sounds more like The Bachelorette with the man and the state being Siamese twins getting the last rose.

What should that same $30,000 be spent on? Support monies are supposed to be used for children’s expenses, like food, clothing, and educational needs. The loophole is that is, like in California, where child support money may be used to “improve the standard of living of the custodial parent.” I can only imagine what the standard of living will be in whatever household North West will inhabit once Kimye ceases to exist.

The main concern is that child support policies impact fathers in the most negative way. It’s been criticized by fathers’ rights groups and feminists. It violates gender equality and denies choices to men. (#MrMom #MsDad #Feminism) The states have found that there is no discrimination when it comes to child support, citing income and custody arrangements. And if you believe that, I have a beautiful shorefront timeshare in Utah to sell you.

This is where the term “male abortion” has come to light. In 1998, Melanie McCulley, a South Carolina attorney, suggested that fathers could walk away from any parental rights and financial responsibilities. This was made under the guise of women getting to play “fuck, marry, kill.” In the most literal sense of it, meaning that the mother could choose between adoption, parenthood, and abortion. This was supported by former president of a feminist organization, the National Organization of Women, attorney Karen DeCrow, argued that men should not have to share in the same joys of parenthood as mothers, and that they should be exonerated from 21 years of support. Yes, men can get abortions too!

Unfortunately, this pipe dream was quickly shot down in the case of Dubay v. Wells. Legislation in the district it was tried, Michigan, It concerned whether or not the Michigan Paternity Act violates the United States Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause, citing it only applies to men. In the dismissal of the case, the U.S. Court of Appeals in the Sixth Circuit basically declared that disclaiming fatherhood was a false equivalency to a woman’s right to have an abortion.” This was aimed to be the Roe V. Wade of fatherhood. Apparently, Judge David M. Lawson made the decision that would have been unsatisfactory to the man that had to pay $30,000 in child support to a child that wasn’t his.

Moving on…

Happy 23-year ann’y!