Opting out of the tax would also bar people from acting as godparents to Catholic children.

BBC: German Catholics lose church rights for unpaid tax

About 600 people packed the Central Presbyterian Church, where Emerson's godparents are members.

CNN: Friends remember slain hiker as 'angel,' 'firecracker'

My care was left to the doctors and nurses at Children's, while my sister was sent to live with our godparents.

CNN: From 58 pounds to thriving

Above all, the large extended families and networks of godparents, which provide crucial support to young Latina mothers, seem to be weakening.

ECONOMIST: Hispanic families

When the Archbishop of Canterbury christened the Princess Royal on 27 October 1766, the new Queen of Denmark was among her godparents, but that in its turn was a proxy appearance.

NPR: Excerpt: Princesses

Achieng has been living with her godparents in London.

BBC: Decision time for British swimmer Achieng Ajulu-Bushell

This means boomers acting like tough coaches, not fairy godparents with an indefatigable ability to solve problems and limitless credit cards: 59% of people 18 to 39 who are not students receive some financial aid from parents.

CNN: Hey, baby boomer parents, back off!