CHILD SUPPORT MUST BE PAID
In the United States, there are many laws adopted in the interests of children. Some of them seem simply unbelievable, others are quite ordinary from the point of view of our citizens, but they are enforced so strictly that it is surprising in itself. A law providing for liability for non-payment of child support falls into the latter category. Violators of this law are hunted mercilessly in America, finding ever more sophisticated ways to do so. Often, the 'catching' of negligent parents occurs during driver's license re-registration – a computer quickly helps identify a debtor, who will not be given a driver's license until they pay their children the full amount owed.
In some states, there is a law requiring every employer to check job applicants for parental debts. The rules are the same: first – payment of child support, and only then – a new job. For the most persistent defaulters, real raids are sometimes conducted (in New Jersey, for example, they have been practicing this for 17 years).
They usually take place late at night, so violators are sent to prison straight from bed. One of the latest such 'raids' involved about 300 police officers who had over two thousand arrest warrants. As a result, 528 fathers and 10 mothers were sent to prison, whose conscience was responsible for a total of about five million dollars in parental debt. They will remain behind bars until they pay the first ten percent; then the court will dictate the terms. Not long ago, 'rapid response' teams were formed in the same New Jersey. Their motto is 'Give a billion to abandoned children!'
THERE ARE NO OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN
There is a law in the United States that provides punishment for 'creating a situation dangerous to a child's life.' Most often, immigrants and guests of the country fall into its 'net.' Here is a typical example. A young married couple from Russia decided to visit a trendy nightclub. After unsuccessfully searching for a babysitter, the spouses left their five-year-old daughter alone, as they had often done at home in Moscow. At night, Dasha woke up, started crying, and called for her mother. Compassionate American neighbors, having made sure the child was alone in the apartment, called the police. The girl was immediately taken to a clinic to determine if she had been subjected to physical violence, then taken to a city childcare service. The parents, returning home and discovering the loss, went to the police station, where they were immediately arrested for endangering the child's life.
They were given back their daughter only a week later – after the childcare service workers made sure that mom and dad were 'okay' and the girl was kept in decent conditions. However, the story did not end there: the guilty parents had to go through court, and now the family is regularly visited by a representative from the child protection department, inquiring whether Dasha is being mistreated.
Anyone who thinks that this case shows a biased attitude towards all 'Russians' would be absolutely wrong – a few years ago, Danish actress Annette Sorensen, wife of a US citizen living in New York, found herself in a similar situation. The story began with a 'trifle': the couple stopped to eat at a restaurant, leaving their 14-month-old daughter in the stroller at the entrance. Overly diligent passersby, spotting the child, rushed to find the parents. Upon learning the situation, the waiters offered to bring the stroller inside and even started moving tables apart. However, the Dane protested, citing that in Copenhagen it is customary to leave children on the street. But New York is not Copenhagen. Another passerby, concerned about the fate of the lone child, called the police. The girl was immediately sent to the aforementioned childcare service, and mom and dad were arrested right in the restaurant and taken to jail. The spouses spent two weekend days there, and on Monday they appeared before the so-called family court, which accused them of endangering the child's life.
Harsh, isn't it? But these are the norms of American life. By the way, note: in any situation (and there are many examples), there are people who care about everything, who are not indifferent to what is happening around. Some of our compatriots who are 'settling into' America often mock this: they say that snitching is an American national trait. Perhaps there is some excess in Americans' thoroughness, but they have something that the residents of our country lack – a sense of civic responsibility. It is no wonder that the crime detection rate in America is so high...
At one time, an incredibly strong reaction from the American press was caused by an incident on a plane during a flight from Russia to the USA. An American married couple 'adapted' (in Russian terms – adopted) two Russian orphans and were returning home with them. However, the newly-made parents had a clearly wrong idea of their rights – they behaved aggressively towards the children and even raised a hand to them. Concerned fellow passengers immediately reported this to the flight attendant, who, as required, informed the captain, who in turn contacted ground services. Needless to say, when the plane landed, 'dad' and 'mom' were handcuffed and soon appeared before a court that accused them of child abuse.
PAVLIK MOROZOV IN AMERICAN STYLE
According to American law, "domestic violence" is a crime that inevitably leads to punishment. Each state has its own programs to protect children from adult abuse. Moreover, there are many public organizations where volunteers engage in this noble cause. And what about children? They are well aware of their rights and use them to the fullest. A rebellious teenager can easily sue an abusive teacher or school principal. Parents often get it too. There are far more followers of Pavlik Morozov's immortal feat in America than in the former Soviet Union.
The newspaper "Novoye Russkoye Slovo" once told this story. An elderly Russian immigrant, a father of the family who was positive in every way, once slapped his fourteen-year-old daughter because she came home at dawn. The girl's reaction was purely American: she ran straight from home to the police, where she showed a fresh bruise. Within minutes, the father was arrested. In the morning, the daughter, accompanied by her mother, came to withdraw her statement. But it was not to be! Reporters intervened, the case was made public. The "criminal" faced relocation from the family and loss of parental rights. The case was saved by a lawyer, whose services cost the poor father several thousand dollars. The head of the family, thank God, remained with his relatives, but his reputation was thoroughly tarnished.
NATIONAL PRIDE
America treats its little citizens with respect and seriousness. This is most vividly illustrated by a case from the recent past. Three black teenagers from New York received an invitation from... President Clinton to visit the White House. At the New York airport, pilots met the boys and invited them into the cockpit as the most honored guests. The passengers on the airliner greeted them with applause. But all this was trivial compared to the honors bestowed on the boys in Washington: senators, ambassadors, and other important people shook their hands, and Bill Clinton gave them a long fatherly speech. The young African Americans strolled through the White House like birthday guests in their own apartment. "I am proud of you, guys!" the president said to them as he said goodbye...
Why such an honor, you ask? It turns out that on the stairs of a poorhouse, the friends found a wallet containing 500 American dollars. The boys found the owner and returned the money. That was the whole feat. The newspapers wrote about it. The president learned about it. And he decided to personally shake the hands of the good kids.
Yes, in America they love children. And they know how to be proud of them.