'Where is the father in the picture?': This Indianapolis hairstylist is having a baby — but she has no money, is behind on rent, and the dad has a 'laziness' problem. Dave Ramsey responds

“Where is the father in the picture?” Ramsey asked. When Kathy replied the father is “financially not” in the picture, Ramsey was briefly at a loss for words.

Here’s why he believes both parents need to rise to the challenge.

The shovel isn’t big enough

Kathy graduated in June and started working as a hairstylist. She admitted it’s been challenging ramping this business up and finding clients; she’s earning just $1,200 a month for now. To make ends meet, she has side hustles that generate another $1,300 a month.

“My shovel is not nearly big enough,” she told Ramsey.

Money is tight, which is why she’s fallen behind on her rent for 15 days. Unfortunately, her landlord has already initiated the eviction process. She’s worried about her financial situation and is considering applying for a credit card for the first time to pay rent.

Unsurprisingly, Ramsey doesn’t think that’s a good idea. “Yeah, debt problems are always solved by more debt!” he sarcastically remarked. Kathy isn’t married, but Ramsey wants to know why the child’s father won’t step up and help.

“He is excited about the baby and all that good stuff, but financially not contributing at all,” she explained. “I think it's more of a laziness problem.”

Father needs to step up

Ramsey believes a father must provide financial support for his children, regardless of marriage. “Tell bubba, if he’s going to make a baby he gets to pay!” he said, pointing out the father doesn’t have the moral or legal right to relinquish financial responsibilities. “If you father a child in the United States of America you get to pay child support. It's how that works.”

U.S. law requires both parents to financially provide for their biological children until they’re adults. If one parent doesn’t have custody, he or she is legally obligated, in most cases, to pay child support to the parent with custody. Child support is required even if the couple is not married, according to the Office of Child Support Services.