Incarcerated Fathers and Parenting: Importance of the Relationship With Their Children

Abstract

This study examined the relationships of incarcerated fathers (n = 185) with their children while in a maximum security prison. Despite the attention to parental incarceration and at-risk children, the child welfare and corrections literature has focused mostly on imprisoned mothers and children. Demographic, sentence, child-related, and program participation factors were investigated for their influence on father-child relationships. Multiple regression analyses indicated race and sentence contributed to the father's positive perceptions of contacts with their children. Most important, many, though serving lengthy sentences, valued and perceived a positive father-child relationship. Results are discussed in light of implications for future research and social policy.

Stereotype‐based judgments of child welfare issues in cases of parent criminality

“…The research literature increasingly shows that incarcerated fathers value and desire contact with their children more than was generally thought (Hairston, ; Lee, Sansone, Swanson, & Tatum, ). Nonetheless, there is empirical evidence that suggests that incarcerated fathers may find it more difficult than incarcerated mothers to maintain contact to their children during incarceration.…”

“…The research literature increasingly shows that incarcerated fathers value and desire contact with their children more than was generally thought (Hairston, 1998;Lee, Sansone, Swanson, & Tatum, 2012).…”

Pais encarcerados: narrativas de presos sobre a experiência da paternidade na prisão

“…Contrariando o imaginário popular de que pais presos são indiferentes aos filhos e que nada proveem, 1 Dados do sistema prisional, referentes a 30 de junho de 2014. os estudos evidenciam que muitos desses pais mostramse interessados em manter uma relação estreita com seus filhos (Edin, Nelson, & Paranal, 2001; Granja et al, 2013;Lanier, 1993;Lee et al, 2012;Silva, 2007). Contudo, na prisão, os homens não são encorajados a uma aproximação com sua prole, nem têm suporte para exercer o papel paterno, se assim o desejarem (Hairston, 2001).…”

Confidence in Attachment Relationships and Marital Status as Protective Factors for Self‐Perceived Parental Role and In‐Person Visitation with Children Among Incarcerated Fathers

“…Moreover, inmate fathers have reported to feel disconnected and dissatisfied with their parental engagement (28) and have been found to experience, due to incarceration, depression, psychological difficulties, and adjustment problems that weaken their parenting capacity and role (7). On the other hand, incarcerated fathers have been found to perceive a close relationship to their children (5,28,29). Our findings show that incarcerated fathers are exposed to the risk of perceiving their paternal role in a more negative way compared to control fathers because in the face of a strong feeling of investment, they also feel less balanced, competent, and satisfied compared to the other parents.…”

“…KEYWORDS: forensic science, incarcerated fathers, father-child relationship, parental role, marital status, attachment, contacts with children The parental role of incarcerated fathers has received growing attention in psychological research in recent years (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7). Findings show that the relationship between imprisoned men and their children has a meaningful impact on the lives of both fathers and children (8) in terms of adjustment during incarceration (9), less recidivism (10), reintegration of fathers after release (11), and children's well-being (12).…”