In It for the Long Haul: Exploring Gender Dynamics in Former Prisoner– Family Relationships

Authors

Damian J. Martinez, California State University, Stanislaus
Andrea Leverentz, University of Massachusetts, Boston

Abstract

"This article contributes to the growing body of literature on the role of families of origin in the reentry of former prisoners by focusing on a group of young men of color recently released from prison. Our in-depth interviews with young men and selected family members highlighted the ongoing importance of their family relationships for providing important emotional and instrumental support. These relationships also are gendered. In relationships with female relatives, the former prisoners’ primary role was to be there for the women in the family and thereby demonstrate their love of family and their commitment to desistance from crime, while the women provided them care, advice, and emotional support. In relationships with young male relatives, the former prisoners took a more active role, attempting to mentor the young men so they would avoid the same problems or steer their lives in a more positive direction. This article is one step in exploring how family relationships and gender dynamics function in the lives of returning prisoners."

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Martinez, Damian J. and Leverentz, Andrea (2014) "In It for the Long Haul: Exploring Gender Dynamics in Former Prisoner– Family Relationships," Qualitative Criminology (QC): Vol. 2: No. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/qc/vol2/iss1/4