When Are You Coming Home?: How Young Children Cope When Parents Go to Jail

The vast majority of incarceration in the US occurs in locally operated jails, disproportionately impacting families of color, those experiencing poverty, and rural households. When Are You Coming Home? Helps answer questions about how young ones are faring when a parent is incarcerated in jail, presenting findings related to children's stress, family relationships, health, home environments, and visit experiences through the eyes of children and families.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 17 March 2023
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

As the United States approaches its 50th year of mass incarceration, an increasing number of children are experiencing the incarceration of a parent, a phenomenon that has profound implications for families and communities. The vast majority of incarceration occurs in locally operated jails, disproportionately impacting families of color, those experiencing poverty, and rural households. However, our understanding of how children cope with the incarceration of a parent, particularly young children who are most at risk for adversity and are most detrimentally impacted, is still in its early stages.

To address this gap, "When Are You Coming Home?" provides valuable insights into the experiences of young children when a parent is incarcerated in jail. This book, grounded in a resilience model of development, offers a child-centered perspective by presenting findings related to children's stress, family relationships, health, home environments, and visit experiences through the eyes of the children and families themselves. Through a humanizing and social justice-oriented approach, the book highlights the critical need to support children and their families before, during, and after a parent's incarceration, while also grappling with strategies of reform and decarceration in the country.

The impact of parental incarceration on children is multifaceted and far-reaching. Children who have a parent in jail are more likely to experience stress, anxiety, and depression, which can have long-term consequences for their mental and physical health. They may also struggle with academic performance, social relationships, and attachment issues, which can further exacerbate their emotional and behavioral challenges. Moreover, the incarceration of a parent can disrupt family relationships, leading to conflict, tension, and a sense of instability within the household.

However, the book also highlights the resilience and strength of children and their families in the face of adversity. Children who have strong support systems, such as extended family members, teachers, and community organizations, are more likely to cope with the incarceration of a parent and maintain positive outcomes. Additionally, programs and interventions that focus on promoting family stability, providing mental health support, and addressing the root causes of incarceration can have a positive impact on children's well-being and help break the cycle of intergenerational incarceration.

In conclusion, the incarceration of a parent has profound consequences for children and their families. While our understanding of how children cope with this adversity is still evolving, it is clear that support, intervention, and reform are essential to promoting children's well-being and breaking the cycle of intergenerational incarceration. By working together to address the root causes of incarceration and provide comprehensive support to families, we can create a more just and equitable society for all.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978825703