One of the most detailed examinations of the challenges faced by children with incarcerated loved ones, particularly parents, can be found in the 2016 article Stigma Management Among Children of Incarcerated Parents, authored by Kate Luther and published in Deviant Behavior (Vol. 37, No. 11, pp. 1264–1275, Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group).
In her research, Luther identifies three key issues uniquely affecting children of incarcerated parents: spoiled identity, courtesy stigma, and the development of an identity in contrast.
Drawing on foundational work by Erving Goffman (1963), Luther explains that the stigma of incarceration often extends beyond the individual who committed the offense to impact their entire family. The repercussions of one person’s actions can tarnish the reputations of innocent loved ones, including children, resulting in what Goffman terms a “spoiled identity.”
Courtesy stigma, as outlined by Luther, refers to the stigma experienced by individuals due to their association with someone who has committed a crime. In the case of children, this stigma can manifest when others make unfair assumptions about their character, behavior, or future potential based solely on a loved one’s incarceration.
To cope with this, many children develop what Luther calls an identity in contrast – a deliberate effort to define themselves apart from the stigma attached to their incarcerated loved one. This can be an especially difficult undertaking for children who are simultaneously processing the emotional trauma of parental incarceration.
At Extended Family for Kids, we are committed to helping children overcome these stigmas. Our programs are specifically designed to support youth in reversing the effects of spoiled identity, resisting courtesy stigma, and successfully crafting a positive identity in contrast. Through our evidence-based curriculum, children learn coping strategies and develop healthy mental, emotional, and physical habits. Our approach empowers children to express and process emotions in constructive ways that won’t get them into trouble.
To learn more about Extended Family for Kids and to explore our comprehensive, solutions-focused programs for children and their families, please visit www.extendedfamilyhelp.org.
By supporting the families of incarcerated individuals, we take meaningful steps toward breaking the cycle of incarceration and fulfilling our mission, “To offer help and inspire hope.”