Maternal Identities and Narratives of Motherhood: A Qualitative Exploration of Women’s Pathways Into and Out of Offending

Abstract

Existing research in criminology often focuses on changes in offending behaviors over time. Yet, less is known about the role of gender in women's offending and little consideration is directed toward the integration of gender and parenthood in understanding offending trajectories. This article examines how and when offending and desisting pathways are shaped by motherhood. Interviews were conducted with 37 mothers in New York City with histories of offending behaviors. The data demonstrate how motherhood and maternal identities held more significance in some social circumstances, contributing to offending pathways and presenting a variety of challenges in some women's desistance pathways.

“I’m Not a Number, I’m a Human Being:” A Phenomenological Study of Women’s Responses to Labeling

“…Other research has documented such effects in sentencing outcomes (Steffensmeier & Demuth, 2006). Yet, the current study indicated that system-involved women themselves have an awareness of the violation of gendered expectations, similar to prior research (Garcia-Hallett, 2019; Gunn et al, 2018; Sharpe, 2015). Such violations are especially pronounced among mothers as they are expected to be providers and positive role models for their children.…”

“…Few studies have assessed the internalization process of crime-focused labels and subsequent stigma among system-involved women. Although such research is scant, prior studies have demonstrated stigmatization in relation to motherhood and substance abuse, in particular (Gålnander, 2020; Garcia-Hallett, 2019; Gueta & Chen, 2019; Gunn et al, 2018; Sharpe, 2015). Stigmas related to former incarceration and substance abuse counter women’s role expectations related to motherhood and romantic partners (Gunn et al, 2018; Sharpe, 2015).…”

“I Literally Roll With The Punches”: Black and Latinx Women Coping Through Parental Incarceration

“…Through a critical race feminist lens, scholarly research has made important contributions in areas focused on incarcerated mothers, mothers of incarcerated children, and adolescent girls of incarcerated parents (Garcia-Hallett, 2019;Hayes-Bautista, 2013;Lopez & Corona, 2012;Mitchell & Davis, 2019). Yet, little attention has been given to how parental incarceration specifically intersects with race, ethnicity, and gender for young women.…”

“We’re Being Released to a Jungle”: The State of Prisoner Reentry and the Resilience of Women of Color

“…Women of color are forced to survive a racialized “feminization of poverty” that can surface as financially motivated offending behaviors like fraud, theft, and burglary (Carlen, 1988; Garcia-Hallett, 2019). However, the intersectionality of gendered and racial-ethnic disparities in employment are further shaped by the presence of a criminal record, which introduces stereotypes about work ethic and assumptions about people skills, communication skills, and the ability to adapt to diverse work environments (Giguere & Dundes, 2002; Graffam, Shinkfield, & Hardcastle, 2008).…”

“…The women were most frequently incarcerated for drug crimes (i.e., possession and sale) and money crimes (e.g., identity theft, shoplifting, burglary, and robbery), common among women offenders (McCorkel, 2013; Reiman & Leighton, 2017). The prevalence of monetary crimes is largely attributed to their systematic oppression as a marginalized group with lasting social expectations, while their drug crimes often represent adoptive coping mechanisms to life’s challenges or negative relationships (Garcia-Hallett, 2019). At the time of the interview, the women had various obstacles postincarceration: 68% were unemployed (not including unpaid internships), 78% were living in transitional housing, with family, in shelters or on the street, and half of the mothers with minor children did not have custody.…”