Collateral Consequences: How Increased Incarceration Rates Transform Parenting and Partnership in Low-Income Boston Neighborhoods

Abstract

The War on Drugs and subsequent growth of the U.S. prison system has disproportionately affected low-income individuals living in inner-cities. Since the 1980’s, men of color without a high school degree have been incarcerated at a higher rate than other groups in the U.S. Prior research has examined the outcomes of criminal offenders upon release, but less research has focused on the indirect effects of drugs and prison on women and families on the outside. This research utilizes 88 interviews of women in the Boston area who have had children by men who have served time. Findings suggest that the salience and legitimacy of the criminal label has waned over time. Additionally, women who grew up in neglectful or abusive homes may learn skills and knowledge that can benefit them as they enter motherhood. Finally, the dissertation concludes with a discussion of how mothers evaluate fathers and how they help ensure the best possible outcomes for their children.