Associations Between Individual and Family Level Characteristics and Parenting Practices in Incarcerated African American Fathers

Abstract

We investigated the reported parenting practices of fifty incarcerated African American fathers. Fathers were interviewed using hypothetical vignettes adapted from the Parenting Dimensions Inventory (PDI) and received scores on two parenting practices: responsive and restrictive. Father's individual level (education and length of time spent incarcerated) and family level (number of relationships that have borne children) characteristics were significantly associated with their parenting practices. Based on canonical correlation analysis, on function one, responsive parenting was positively associated with education level and negatively associated with both cumulative incarceration time and more numerous partner fertility. Restrictive parenting was negatively associated with education level and positively associated with both cumulative incarceration time and more numerous partner fertility. Function 2 capitalized on variance in the restrictive parenting predictor that was not utilized in function 1, and likely captured lack of opportunity to parent. On function 2, restrictive parenting was negatively associated with cumulative time spent incarcerated and more numerous partner fertility. In all, results suggest that prison-based education programs should be part of an overall response to incarcerated fathers. These results add to the growing body of research on incarcerated fathers and fragile families.

Latent Profiles of Nonresidential Father Engagement Six Years After Divorce Predict Long-Term Offspring Outcomes

“…From an ecological systems perspective (Bronfenbrenner, 1992; Magnusson & Stattin, 1998), the role of the non-residential father in the promotion of the long-term well-being of their offspring is the summation of a network of inter-related influences (e.g., Modecki & Wilson, 2009). Within this framework, the contribution of any one variable is meaningful only in terms of its relation to other aspects.…”

From Prison to Parenting

“…Fathers in prison seldom see their children, and their contact is often dependent upon their relationship with the child's mother (Modecki & Wilson, 2009). Any information they receive on the well-being of their children comes from family members.…”

“…Incarcerated fathers do care about their children and how their children perceive them. They express concern and wonder whether another man in their children's life has replaced them (Modecki & Wilson, 2009). Imprisoned fathers have unique challenges but have the same concerns as other fathers.…”

“…While incarcerated, fathers are viewed as useless to their children by families and limited in parenting opportunities. Regardless of these barriers, there are those who try hard to be good fathers to their children even during periods of forced separation (Modecki & Wilson, 2009). …”

Origins and Rationale for the African American Economic Summit

“…Excessive African American male incarceration is particularly ominous for the survival of African American families since effective parenting of the next generation is most severely impacted by cumulative time spent incarcerated and more numerous partner fertility. Modecki and Wilson (2009) report that prison-based parenting education programs could be ameliorative in such cases, but the chances of resources being allocated to such training is virtually nonexistent in this economic climate. Between private jails and public jails, there are no significant levels of difference in the paucity of inmate access to effective rehabilitation training.…”