FOR CHILD SUPPORT: JUSTICE, NOT COERCION

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, January 1, 1993                   TAG: 9301040280
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
FOR CHILD SUPPORT: JUSTICE, NOT COERCION
WELL, AIN'T it wonderful. According to a recent letter to the editor, the federal government has entered into the child-support enforcement business. All our troubles are over. Like all the laws and millions of dollars the state already spends have done so much to resolve the problem. Surely more of the same will work.
How does anyone believe that holding a gun to someone's head is going to get them what they want? What single mothers (and crooks) want is financial security. The rationale is the same and just as wrong, whether you use guns or lawyers.
How long before we realize that the answer doesn't lie in "forced" anything? It lies in giving both parents equal consideration for custody and then letting them go their separate ways. Trying to force the illusion of family or family values based on money is more destructive to the child than any other abuse.
Acting on fear and anger doesn't work. Seeking justice does. JOHN N. SMILEY ROANOKE

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB