Deadbeat Dad
"We are his kids, after all."
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to this Commentary!
By Lita Cho
When I was 14, I started to work in the Farmers Market in Bayfair Mall. Most
people use their money on the movies, going out to eat with their friends or
shopping. Well my situation was different. My money was spent on helping my
mom with bills.
It was because of my dad that my mom was always short of money.
My mom and dad divorced when I was six years old. Before then, my family was
living in the suburbs in a huge house and being spoiled rotten.
After the divorce, we moved to an apartment in Alameda. It was
a huge adjustment for my mom, but for my brother, my sister and me, it wasn’t
a big deal. We were too young to care if our house was big or small. The problems
started when my mom had to find a job. Since she didn’t speak any English
at that time, she had to work in places like Korean restaurants and businesses
owned by Korean people.
I remember my mom going to court to get money from my dad. But
when I was ten, my dad moved to L.A., because his business went down. He did
cash jobs there so the state couldn’t trace him or take money out of his
check. My mom kept filing complaints to the district about my dad not paying
child support. Other than that, she didn’t know what to do.
I guess now the government is being more aggressive with parents
who continuously avoid paying child support. I’m glad because maybe now
I can have money for college.
I never grew up having a father, and honestly I don’t really
want a relationship with my dad now. He never cared to come support us when
we really needed him. I just think he should help my family out financially.
We are his kids, after all.
With a Perspective, I’m Lita Cho.
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