Marital Separation and the Economic Well-Being of Children and Their Absent Fathers

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Working Paper Number: SEHSD-WP1991-04 or SIPP-WP-156

Until recently, surprisingly little information on noncustodial fathers has been available.  Custodial mothers have been asked about receipt of child support and alimony in the April Current Population Survey (CPS) since the late 1970s and this has been the primary source of information on child support by absent fathers.  In recent years, several other national surveys have included questions on the support men provide for children who do not live with them.  For example, in topical modules to the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), fathers have been asked about support for children living elsewhere.

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