Reading between the bars: exploring the representation of young adults with incarcerated parents in text literature

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine and explore how young adults with incarcerated parents are represented in text-based literature. Although a plethora of research has recently emerged regarding the effects of imprisonment on the social, psychological, economic, and spiritual wellbeing of the family unit, young adults are rarely acknowledged. As a result, existing research appears informative, revolutionary and predictive; however, it instead contributes to creating the profile of a deviant and socially reclusive young adult with adverse life outcomes. This study is a critical reflexive literature analysis that incorporates a narrative methodology to gain insight into the representation of young adults between the ages of 17 and 25. With a selection of themes observed from the textual evidence, this study recommends three ways to humanize young adults with confined parents by building upon their personal narratives. Keywords: young adults, parental incarceration, critical reflexive, narrative