INCAPACITATED FATHERHOOD: THE IMPACT OF MASS INCARCERATION ON BLACK FATHER IDENTITY

Authors

Dara Lewis, Loyola University Chicago
Philip Young P. Hong, Loyola University Chicago

Abstract

"Despite the growing body of literature detailing the disproportionate social consequences of mass incarceration to black men, many of whom are fathers, insufficient attention has been given to the extent of damage on fatherhood and father identity in particular. This article examines the consequences of mass incarceration on father identity and the performance of fatherhood among a group of black men. Drawing from rich qualitative data, the study uses the lived experiences and perceptions of a group of formerly incarcerated black fathers. This research found that the incarceration experience significantly disrupted the performance of fatherhood among this group of men resulting in acute harm to the identity as fathers during incarceration and ongoing harm after release."

Creative Commons License

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

Recommended Citation

Lewis, Dara and Hong, Philip Young P. (2020) "INCAPACITATED FATHERHOOD: THE IMPACT OF MASS INCARCERATION ON BLACK FATHER IDENTITY," Qualitative Criminology (QC): Vol. 8: No. 3, Article 6.
Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/qc/vol8/iss3/6