Dead beat Parent isn't always the Dad.

I completely agree! I have friends who are single Fathers, raising their children with NO help what-so-ever from the absent Mother. I think people use the term 'Deadbeat Dad' more often because there are more absent Fathers than Mothers. One is no better or worse than the next. A child needs to know both of their parents love them and they are worth knowing and caring for. These issues often affect teenagers very negatively. When they are 'coming into their own', they need reassurance and sometimes feel inadequate, not worthy and even at fault and it has a direct affect on their self-worth and self-confidence. It's sad either way : (

You are just so right. However I think that the non-custodial parent should contribute financially for any children they may have. Even if they cannot afford the whole amount every week/fortnight/month, some contribution is essential. Similarly, the non-custodial parent should have access to any and all children from the relationship. That doesn't mean they can take the children away on holidays etc if they are behind in child support, but simply that they can have the children on access visits no less than every fortnight. Sadly there are some non-custodial parents who do not and will not contribute financially to the upbringing of their child/ren which is so wrong. At the same time there are some parents who have custody of the child/ren who will make life extremely difficult for the non-custodial parent if they are in arrears in child support payments.