The Innocent Casualties of Imprisonment

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the negative experiences children have when their parent goes to prison while comparing how these negative experiences differ based on socioeconomic status. . . . Our research question is how do children of high and low socioeconomic statuses experience stress when their parent becomes incarcerated? Specifically, we want to explore the degree relative deprivation in a child develops after a parent goes to prison. Furthermore, the processes by which low-income and high-income children experience relative deprivation and the subsequent effects on wellbeing will be investigated. While we know that low income children become relatively deprived in the case of parental incarceration, high-income children may experience relative deprivation as well. Hence, this paper will present a unique perspective on relative deprivation and thus provide reasons for why children of various socioeconomic statuses are the innocent victims of imprisonment. [From Introduction]