Maternal Incarceration

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the purpose of this proposed formal research study is to examine further the influence of maternal incarceration on the social, emotional and educational well-being of children. The author uses an ecological perspective to better understand the problems experienced by families and individuals by considering the larger environment and systems that impact them and are a part of their everyday experiences. The author believes that when a child's mother is incarcerated, separation between parent and child can be expected to be nothing less than distressing and painful, regardless of the disruption that may have been present in their lives prior to incarceration. The research method is a survey using a questionnaire; the population is incarcerated mothers, their children, the caretakers of children, and others involved in working with the family of children whose mothers have been incarcerated.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Relevant Background Information
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Research Questions
Significance of the Study
Theoretical Framework
Literature Review
Demographics of Incarcerated Mothers and their Children
Impact of Mother's Incarceration on Children
An Ecological Perspective of Incarcerated Mothers and their Children
Summary of the Literature Review
Methods and Procedures
Research Design
Research Hypotheses
Research Methods
Sample
Sampling Procedure
Instrumentation
External Validity
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Data Coding
Statistical Analysis

From the Paper:

"Special issues may also arise when children are placed with grandparents. As explained by Johnson and Smith (2000), efforts to raise children after one has already raised their own to adulthood may be particularly difficult for grandparents. Stresses increase as grandparents find themselves challenged by a number of losses, including loss of one's freedom, time, and adult friendships as well as the loss of expectations concerning the typical role assumed by most grandparents.Grandparents are faced with the experience of dealing with their own feelings about an altered lifestyle and sense of personal sacrifice as well as a child or children who may have very special needs because of their parent's incarceration. Respite care is not always available and the relationship with the incarcerated mother may become increasingly strained. These problems may be further complicated by fatigue, which has been identified by grandparents raising grandchildren as a major problem and physical and mental health may also be affected as well. According to Burton (1992), grandparents faced with raising their grandchildren have reported an increase in anxiety and depression; in their use of tobacco and alcohol; and in health problems, including arthritis, diabetes, slight strokes, and mild heart attacks."

More papers on Maternal Incarceration:

• Essay # 137947 : "Maternal Scaffolding and Child Development"
• Analytical Essay # 132120 : "The Challenges of Incarceration"
• Term Paper # 129449 : "Alternatives to Incarceration"

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