Antisocial Behavior of the Adolescent Children of Incarcerated Parents: A Developmental Perspective

• NCJ Number: 222810
• Author(s): Mark Eddy; John B. Reid
• Date Published: January 2002
• Length: 23 pages
• Sale Source: The Urban Institute
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Paper prepared for the Conference "From Prison to Home," January 30-31, 2002; downloaded May 22, 2008.

Annotation

This paper provides an overview of the relationship between parental criminality and incarceration and imates' children's antisocial behavior, discusses how these factors might be linked through parenting, places this link within the context of the life-course development of antisocial behavior, and then considers interventions that might improve outcomes for the children of incarcerated parents.

Abstract

As noted in the developmental model presented, the parenting practices most practical and relevant to reducing the risk of antisocial behavior among children of incarcerated parents depend significantly on the developmental level of the child. Of particular importance are parenting behaviors during four stages of development. Before birth, critical issues include mother's social and economic support; her diet; her access to prenatal care; and her use of substances, including tobacco. During the preschool years, critical issues shift to parents' ability to teach their children critical social skills, to manage their emotions, and to prepare them for the social demands of teachers and peers. During the elementary-school years, important issues include adapting to social demands while developing academic skills. During adolescence, issues shift to monitoring children's activities and friends, increasing responsibilities, and negotiating appropriate limits on activities. Efforts designed to prevent antisocial behavior from emerging at various developmental levels should focus on practical ways for inmate parents to provide guidance to their children according to their development. Because the vast majority of inmates have sentences that last only a few years, a significant number will return to parenting roles. Corrections departments should conduct scientifically based parent education programs for both mothers and fathers. For incarcerated parents who have youth in foster care or who are involved in the juvenile justice system, programs and staff training should focus on their developmental levels and specific needs, with a view toward family reunification in the future. 109 references