Journal Article

'MY LIFE IS SEPARATED': An Examination Of The Challenges And Barriers To Parenting For Indigenous Fathers In Prison

Smallbone, Holly, Dennison, Susan, Freiberg, Kate, Stewart, Anna, Teague, Rosie

2014

Overview

Paternal imprisonment creates a significant risk for the intergenerational transmission of offending. However, there is little research on the mechanisms underpinning this risk, including how paternal imprisonment interrupts parenting and father-child relationships. Culturally relevant research is also essential in the context of high imprisonment rates of Indigenous Australian men. We conducted interviews with 41 Indigenous Australian fathers from two prisons in North (Queensland to examine their identities as fathers in prison and the barriers associated with maintaining nlationships with their children. Findings are discussed in relation to contact and distance; intergenerational absence of fathers; paternal involvement through play, care and culture; and diminished opportunities for men's parental and cultural generativity. We consider the implications of the findings for children's well-being.

• Publisher: Oxford University Press,Oxford Uniiversity Press,Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subject: Aboriginal Australians / Absent fathers / Children / Criminology / Family roles / Father-child relations / Fatherhood / Fathers / Generativity / Imprisonment / Incarceration / INDIGENOUS PEOPLE / Indigenous peoples / Intergenerational relationships / Intergenerational transmission / Men / Offending / Parent child relations / Parent participation / PARENTAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES / Parenting / Parents & parenting / PRISONERS / Prisons / Qualitative research / Well being