The Impact Prison Has on Families and Children - Essay Example

However, studies have revealed that problems ensue when parents have committed violations and infractions that led to their imprisonment (Robertson, 2007; King, 2002; Cunningham, 2001). As emphasized, parental imprisonment have been validated to provide negative effects on the lives of the children and those of the family members. The current essay hereby aims to determine and expound on the impact prison has on families and children by initially enumerating the effects of parental imprisonment on children in terms of their behavioral manifestations, in terms of financial situations and in the parent-child relationships or bonds.

Effect on Children’s Behavior When parents are incarcerated, the reactions of children could be varied depending on demographic factors: their age, the social status of the family, the income level, peers, and the availability and access to forms of support. As disclosed by Robertson (2007), “often children of prisoners are discriminated against and stigmatised as a result of parental imprisonment and have suffered from trauma, fear, shame, guilt and low self-esteem. Relationships with other family members frequently suffer.

Some children become withdrawn, are affected by increased health problems and regressive behaviour such as bed-wetting, suffer worsening performance and attendance rates at school or display increased aggression, antisocial or criminal tendencies” (Robertson, 2007, p. 9). These findings were corroborated in the study conducted by King (2002) who revealed that among the changes eminent from children’s behavior when their parent/s were imprisoned include: either becoming withdrawn and quiet or being hyperactive; acting up with the remainign caregiver; depression; and shyness exhibited to imprisoned parent/s (p. 56). Likewise, physical and mental health changes were also reported by Roberston (2007) to wit: “noted problems have included: changes in sleep patterns or eating behaviour; starting or increasing their use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco; stress; depression; and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder such as flashbacks about the crimes or arrests” (p. 9). Effect on Financial Situations Evidently, for very young children, the primary effect of parental imprisonment is the curtailment of regular and appropriate financial support.

If the parent who was incarcerated was the breadwinner, the sole parent left to attend to the financial needs of the family will bear the burden for financial support. On the other hand, for parent/s who have had previous experiences of drug abuse prior to the incarceration were noted to have led to some improvement in the financial situation of the family (King, 2002, p. 54). Also, as emphasized by Cunningham (2001), “incarceration may necessitate relocation for the rest of the family, and hence disruption of schooling and loss of support networks.

Moving house may result from economic hardship arising from the loss of the breadwinner, or a desire to escape media or family attention” (p. 36). Effect on Parent-Child Relationships Due to the restrictions posed in the prison setting, prisoners with children were reported to have difficulties maintaining their relationships with their children. As a consequence, there are perceived diminishing of parent-child established bonds and the loss of parental authority (King, 2002). Likewise, as it was apparently noted that children with parents