What are the Effects of Parental Incarceration on Children?
Today, there are millions of U.S. children with parents behind bars. So, what happens to these children when one or more parent is sent to prison or jail? When a parent is incarcerated, undue burden and stress are placed upon the children as well as their caregivers. Emotional, financial, health care and education related consequences are seen with an incarcerated parent. These effects are not the same for all children; negative effects vary depending on several factors, such as the parent-child relationship prior to incarceration and additional non-parental support outside of the home.
Frequently, these families are already at a disadvantage; living below the poverty line, living in neighborhoods where drug abuse and crime is rampant. What can we do to lessen the disadvantage that these children face? How do we halt the cycle of incarceration that can be seen in these families? These children deserve to have a voice, yet many of the programs that have been established to support and be the voice of these children are dramatically underfunded, essentially making them invisible victims. We must also look at the War on Drugs and its correlation with the increase in parental incarceration rates since 1971. There has been some reform on this policy but not enough to bring families back together. Should non-violent offenders, specifically parents, receive lesser sentences? What about re-entry and recidivism? What resources are available to families after the parent has been released? Robust programs are needed in all states, that nurture the parent-child relationship while the parent is incarcerated, as well as, upon re-entry. Without assistance in finding employment, housing, and food, it is likely that these families will continue to face the same challenges. Do government agencies have the resources to assist these families? With incarceration rates climbing there has been increased awareness of the potential negative consequences children are faced with due to parental incarceration. Psychologists, sociologists, and government agencies have started to look at and uncover this crisis facing so many children.
Drug Policy Alliance created a brief video overview of the War on Drugs, highlighting the impact it has had on children, families, and communities.
Drug Policy Alliance created a brief video overview of the War on Drugs, highlighting the impact it has had on children, families, and communities.
Figure 1: Tucker, Jill. "Bound by Blood: Children of the Incarcerated Parents." San Francisco Chronicle, Pew Charitable Trusts, 2010, projects.sfchronicle.com/2016/captive-lives/.
Video: Crabapple, Molly, and Jay Z. "The War on Drugs: From Prohibition to Gold Rush." Drug Policy Alliance, www.drugpolicy.org/issues/brief-history-drug-war.
I have many friends who face these issues and it truly is difficult matter to push through in life. What I find really interesting about this topic is how most incarcerations are from lower class societies. It seems with not having much to lose you end up taking big risks and end up paying for it. One question that does come to mind when talking about incarceration and financial classes is if these negative affects are still present for children that are part of the high class society? Another question that also comes to mind is how likely is that child to follow in the footsteps of that parent? I do agree with parental incarceration having a big impact on a child because a child's mind is always developing and exposure to those events can dictate how the child will live his or her life.
ReplyDeleteI found your topic very interesting as I have never truly been exposed to this type of family tragedy, nor have I seen how it impacts the children and family as a whole. It is very interesting to see where the patterns are and how these programs for children are so under funded that they might as well not even be in them.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job of incorporating outside sources to support your ideas and point of views. I would add a little bit more of your personal take/views on the topic and the different point of views. How can the general public help support these children? How can we prevent these child care programs from being under funded?
I agree with the points of there being a pattern for these families as they are usually already below poverty lines and in lower income neighborhoods. I do see how these factors can play a role in families facing the issues of incarceration but that doesn't mean these children should be treated any less than a child of a wealthy family.
It is unbelievable to see the devastation that hits so many families and how it specifically affects the children, both socially and academically. I think that there should be a lesser punishment for non-violent offenders who are parents and it is their first offense. But that is just me.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that children are faced with these adversities at such a young age.They have no idea what is happening in some cases and without the proper parental support, they free fall and go down the wrong path that eventually lands them in the same situation that their parents are in.
I am intrigued to see what your research yields with what government relief efforts are available to help these children and to also see what happens to them specifically if one parent is incarcerated. Does Child Protective Services get involved or not if there is still a responsible parent at home?
Great Blog going on! I enjoy your visual set up. It's sad that so many children are without their parent because of whatever bad choice was made. I want to read more. Maybe add something about the children in foster care while being locked up and how to get them back after they get out? What about the outcome of children getting in trouble with their parent locked up? Excited to see what other information you come up with.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting blog topic! I think you pose a very interesting question on, "Should non-violent offenders, specifically parents, receive lesser sentences?" My wife comes from a very "rowdy" family and has had some family member in this situation. I think another interesting topic that could be useful to you would be the likelihood of the children following their parent’s footsteps.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of what you said, especially about reentry programs for families when they are released. I have never been in that situation, but I can see how it would be a huge social change to overcome for both parties.