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Beyond Absenteeism: Father Incarceration and its Effects on Children's Development

Author

Listed:
  • Amanda Geller

    (Columiba University)

  • Carey E. Cooper

    (Princeton University)

  • Irwin Garfinkel

    (Columiba University)

  • Ofira Schwartz-Soicher

    (Columiba University)

  • Ronald B. Mincy

    (Columiba University)

Abstract

High rates of incarceration among American men, coupled with high rates of fatherhood among men in prison, have motivated recent research on the effects of parental imprisonment on children?s development. We contribute to this literature using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to examine the effects of paternal incarceration on developmental and school readiness outcomes for approximately 3,000 urban children. We estimate cross-sectional and longitudinal regression models that control not only for fathers' basic demographic characteristics and a rich set of potential confounders, but also for several measures of pre-incarceration child development, and family fixed effects. We find that paternal incarceration is positively associated with children's externalizing problems at age five. Results are mixed with respect to attention problems, and we find some evidence that children of incarcerated fathers experience less anxiety than their peers. The observed effects of incarceration on child behavioral problems are significantly stronger than the effects of other forms of father absence, suggesting that children with incarcerated fathers may require specialized support from caretakers, teachers, and social service providers.

Suggested Citation

  • Amanda Geller & Carey E. Cooper & Irwin Garfinkel & Ofira Schwartz-Soicher & Ronald B. Mincy, 2010. "Beyond Absenteeism: Father Incarceration and its Effects on Children's Development," Working Papers 1194, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Research on Child Wellbeing..
    • Handle: RePEc:pri:crcwel:wp09-20-ff.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Amanda Geller & Irwin Garfinkel & Carey E. Cooper & Ronald B. Mincy, 2009. "Parental Incarceration and Child Well‐Being: Implications for Urban Families," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 90(5), pages 1186-1202, December.
    2. Bruce Western & Jeffrey R. Kling & David F. Weiman, 2001. "The Labor Market Consequences of Incarceration," Working Papers 829, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..
    3. Amanda Geller & Irwin Garfinkel & Bruce Western, 2009. "Incarceration and Support for Children in Fragile Families," Working Papers 1079, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Research on Child Wellbeing..
    4. Robert C. Whitaker & Sean M. Orzol & Robert S. Kahn, "undated". "Maternal Mental Health, Substance Use, and Domestic Violence in the Year After Delivery and Subsequent Behavior Problems in Children at Age 3 Years," Mathematica Policy Research Reports a6320c919e2c42e89ac8ee3d1, Mathematica Policy Research.
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    6. Jeffrey R. Kling & David Weiman & Bruce Western, 2001. "The Labor Market Consequences of Incarceration," Working Papers 829, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..
    7. Laura Tach & Ronald Mincy & Kathryn Edin, 2010. "Parenting as A “package deal”: Relationships, fertility, and nonresident father involvement among unmarried parents," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 47(1), pages 181-204, February.
    8. Joseph Murray & David P. Farrington & Ivana Sekol & Rikke F. Olsen, 2009. "Effects of parental imprisonment on child antisocial behaviour and mental health: a systematic review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 5(1), pages 1-105.
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    10. Shelly Lundberg & Sara McLanahan & Elaina Rose, 2007. "Child gender and father involvement in fragile families," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 44(1), pages 79-92, February.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fragile families; childbearing; nonmarital childbearing; fartherhood; fathers; incarceration;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D19 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Other
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • I30 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General

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