Family Structure Dynamics

Children with Incarcerated Parents

Considerations

Application

Conclusion

Created by : Mary V. Keane

Children with Incarcerated Parents

Family Structure Dynamics Changes within the Family: Concrete & Psychological

Roles

• Shifts in family dynamics; often require children to be loyal to one parent.

• How a child perceives them self, and how they are perceived by society, reshapes the child.

This change may influence the child’s approach

to the future..

Environment

•Where a child lives and who they live with often changes.

•Quality and standards, of living often change.

•Children experience feelings of loss, abandonment, insecurity and sometimes relief.

Incarcerated parents frequently have problems with their parental roles. Improving their skill sets (planning,

coping)can promote positive outcomes for them and their children.

It is (generally) important that for children to communicate

frequently with their parent. A parent’s return home as a contributing member to

the family and community is a positive outcome.

Considerations:

1.Consider the concrete and psychological effects incarceration has on the individual child. 2.When applicable, encourage visits and other forms of communication between the youth and parent that is incarcerated.3. Locate and provide mentoring & peer network Opportunities. 4. Inquire about incarceration in a non- judgmental way.

5. Focus on the family unit for intervention.

Application:oThe incarceration of a parent presents challenges for children that are relative to the child’s stage in development.

o These stages all have a primary developmental task that should be accompanied by a corresponding parental reaction/response.

oThe incarceration of a parent creates different challenges at each stage. In order for youth leaders to assist children in the most productive manner, it is important that they know the relationship between the child’s age, their stage of development, and the challenges for them when a parent is incarcerated. These challenges are in some aspects similar to those faced in other types of family separations.

•As a response to stress, infants may easily develop problems with attachments, and/or have problems with direction. Trust issues may arise, particularly if the child is placed with multiple caregivers or in multiple households/care centers.

• A toddlers feeling of security and emotional safety may be shattered. This feeling of distress can result in negative behavior formed by an increase in anxiety levels.

•Pre-school children need to know that they have some influence on adults to get their needs met. Because they fantasize and do not have clear lines of reality, they may think that they wished or caused their parent to go away. Maintaining a connection to the incarcerated parent can help the child understand and avoid feelings of powerlessness.

•School age children need to be successful and to develop a sense of competence with adults, but most importantly with their peers.

•They are vulnerable to being mistreated by peers, particularly in relationship to the situation of the parent.

• They are not typically capable of expressing their feelings well enough, and don’t know how to avoid embarrassment.

•Older children need help understanding social values and the family’s reaction to an incarceration.

•These children are beginning to express their feelings and are at risk of behavioral problems. •Provide resources for resolving emotional conflicts.

•Teenagers may think that they will be like the incarcerated parent. They may copy their behavior, or reject them.

• Often their outlook on life with this parent becomes grim.

All of us are members of a community. As members it is important that we recognize our common interest. These interests typically include the welfare

of the community. Often this common link is represented

by groups that volunteer to further develop, and keep the community secure. If we look

at each individual’s linkage and relationship to the overall good of the group,

it becomes clear why members should be concerned about the proper

care of all children. Several factors can influence the intensity of a child’s reaction to parental

incarceration.

These factors include:  developmental stage,

temperament, aptitude,

 family dynamics, available support  trauma, & details of the crime and incarceration,

Consider what concrete and psychological effects incarceration has

on the individual child.

CONCLUSIONS:

•Support counseling verses suspension.

•Introduce anger management exercises.

•Teach Coping skills, and engage youth in activities. •Include the youth in community activities, supporting a positive identity.

•Provide team and trust building exercises.

•Leave out the negative.

He deserves the opportunity to find his true gift.

M.V. Keane, 2013

Bibliography

Council on Children and Families (2010).Children with Incarcerated Parents, A Journey of Children, Caregivers and Parents in New York State. Mary E. De Masi, Ph.D., Cate Teuten Bohn, MPH, Deborah A. Benson, Executive Director. Available: http://www.ccf.ny.gov/KidsCount/kcResources/ChildIncarceratedParents.pdf Retrieved : August. 2013

DSHS Children's Administration (2012). Working Effectively with Children of the Incarcerated,Their Parents

and Caregivers Washington Department of Health and Social Services Available: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/pubs/cfip.asp Retrieved: September, 2013

Family to Family California (2010). Resources Produced for Youth, Parents, Caregivers and Child Welfare Agencies. A Behavioral Health Toolkit for Working with Children of the Incarcerated and Their Families. Available: http://www.f2f.ca.gov/res-YouthParents.htm Retrieved: September,2013.

Garcia, Jesus (2013).US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Improving the Future for Children of Incarcerated Parents.Available: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/blog/2013/06/improving-the-future-for-children-of-incarcerated-parents Retrieved: September, 2013

Hunter College (2013). Available: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/info_services/download/Children%20of%20Incarcerated Retrieved: September, 2013

Minnesota Fathers and Families Network, (2013). Families with Incarcerated Parents Fact Sheet. Bendheim-Thoman Center on Child Wellbeing & Columbia Population Research Center. (2008).Retrieved: August 2013

Parental Incarceration and Child Wellbeing  in Fragile Families Available : http://www.mnsecondchancecoalition.org/pdf/FamiliesOfIncarcerated.pdf

Retrieved: September, 2013Seligman, Linda (2010). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: systems, strategies, and skills/Linda

Seligman, Lourie Reichenberg.-3rd ed.

Youth Development LeadershipClemson University

School of Health Education and Human Development Families in Youth Development, HEHD805

Dr. Kevin Irmiter

Mary V. Keane, 2013