In their own words: School lives of children with an imprisoned parent

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to explore in depth the impact of parental imprisonment on the school lives of children. A phenomenological qualitative methodology has been utilised to explore the experiences of children whose father is imprisoned. The sample consists of 12 adolescents between the ages of 11-17 whose fathers are currently in prison. The data were collected through interviews. The theoretical design guiding this research is an integrated theoretical approach, drawing upon a combination of stigma, social control and strain theories. The study has revealed that five children have dropped out of school. The others face truancy problems in order to visit their parent on school days. The majority of participants have stated they are stigmatised. With one of the parents imprisoned, the families have financial problems and this affects the children left behind. Further studies on the numbers, problems and needs of children with an imprisoned parent in Turkey are recommended.