The opinion of some parents has allowed many in Virginia to consider the option of reforming a system that may find a noncustodial parent incarcerated if they do not follow court orders. The child support system has long been considered to be improvable, but many are unsure of what to do.

According to the suggestions of one father, jail should not be used as a catchall. Seeing a noncustodial parent jailed due to a lack of support payments can cause negative feelings toward that parent to arise in his or her child.

Instead of jail, the 18-year veteran of the child support process suggests the option of a payment plan before being taken into custody. Jail time can cause a serious rift between a parent and his or her child He feels that by using garnishments or other solutions to ensure payment, the parent may have a better chance of strengthening his or her relationship with the child.

In addition to ensuring payments on the end of the noncustodial parent, another suggestion was made to create more accountability on the end of the custodial parent. This could mean a recording system of how support payments are spent to ensure that they are being used for the intended purpose.

In some cases, noncustodial parents make their payments in full and then the money -- sometimes thousands of dollars -- is spent in ways that does not benefit the child. It is not until the child or custodial parent calls asking for more money that the payer realizes there is something amiss.

It is also important to remember that child support payments don't always include the brand new video game favorite amongst teens. It does include making sure that there is not only food on the table, but that the custodial parents can provide safe transportation for the kid(s) -- as well as the numerous other costs to financially support a household with children.

Source: Thy Black Man, "Child Support needs to be reformed...," Boyce Watkins, Dec. 29, 2011