The Politics of Child Support in America [Paperback]

Jocelyn Elise Crowley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0521535115 | ISBN-13: 978-0521535113

Examining the efforts of leaders in American child support, this book explores the topic of policy innovation over a 100-year period. It tracks the evolution of multiple sets of political entrepreneurs as they grapple with the child support problem: charity workers with local law enforcement in the 19th century; social workers through the 1960s; conservatives during the 1970s; women's groups and women legislators in the 1980s; and fathers' rights groups in the 1990s and beyond. Jocelyn Elise Crowley employs methodological tools from both political science and economics to highlight key stages in the innovation process.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...this well-written book delivers on its promise--a strong account for sea changes in child support policy. The Politics of Child Support in America is recommended reading for students of public policy, advocates, and child support professionals."
-Family Court Review

"This is a useful and timely contribution to studies of social policy change and should spark other fruitful research."
-Renee Monson, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, American Journal of Sociology

Book Description

This book explores the topic of policy innovation by examining the efforts of leaders in the area of American child support over time. Covering over a 100 year period, this book tracks the evolution of multiple sets of political entrepreneurs as they grapple with the child support problem: charity workers with local law enforcement in the 19th century, social workers through the 1960s, conservatives during the 1970s, women's groups and women legislators in the 1980s, and father's rights groups in the 1990s and beyond.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (August 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521535115
• ISBN-13: 978-0521535113
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,587,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Academic book is a gift to the lay community as well., October 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Politics of Child Support in America (Paperback)

Dr. Crowley has reached across the barrier between academia and the lay community to provide us with an insightful and thought-provoking book about the history and politics of Child support in America. But wait, it doesn't end there. The insights she has gleaned in writing this book, provide the political and academic community with a unique perspective by which to set their standards for creating future policy in this area and are also an excellent resource for political science students to study the way America has historically approached the making of public policy.
As a layperson, you may wonder why you would consider reading this book. I have no ties to the issue of child support, nor am I steeped in academia or politics. However, as an educated layperson, I was intrigued by the historical perspective of Dr. Crowley's book. It has proven to be a relevant book to me as a woman, an American and a citizen who had little to no understanding of the way we make domestic policy. Her focus of interest (child support) held my attention and at the same time, allowed me to glean insights of my own into the general realm of policy making and the importance of powerful groups in making those policies. Everything we create for ourselves in our country, has repercussions that reach far beyond our own motives and touches the lives of more people than we realize. It is imperative, then to understand the overall picture, in order to gain the kind of perspective we need to move forward effectively. Dr. Crowley's book accomplishes this task with clarity and provokes you to consider the world outside of your own backyard.