How exactly does alimony and child support work, and why does it seem like it’s always men who pay it to women, and never the other way around?
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It depends on jurisdiction, but in broad terms:
Child support has to do with, obviously, the financial support of the children. Food, clothes, education, healthcare, all the expenses that go into raising and supporting a minor. It’s usually based on the joint incomes of the parents, who has primary custody, etc. The policy behind child support – and almost any laws regarding minors – is what is in the best interest of the child.
Alimony is a different beast. Historically, alimony was usually awarded to the wife/mother, because women traditionally were housewives raising kids. And with no career, or job, women were completely dependent on the husband’s income. Even now, women make on average 71 cents to every man’s dollar. So that is taken into consideration.
Spousal support (from either spouse to the other) has changed over the years. For instance, there is no default spousal support in Washington State, and such support is usually limited in time.
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