A Photovoice Study on the Lived Experiences of Youth and Mothers of Incarcerated Fathers and Husbands, Highlighting the Relevance of Abolitionist Social Work Practice
This community-based participatory research (CBPR) study explored, using a Photovoice methodology, the lived expeiences of northeastern Black and/or African American youth and mothers who were currently experiencing the incarceration of their fathers and husbands. Grounded in critical theories of du...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/7/411 |
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| author | Elizabeth K. Allen Jason Ostrander Kate Kelly |
| author_facet | Elizabeth K. Allen Jason Ostrander Kate Kelly |
| author_sort | Elizabeth K. Allen |
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| description | This community-based participatory research (CBPR) study explored, using a Photovoice methodology, the lived expeiences of northeastern Black and/or African American youth and mothers who were currently experiencing the incarceration of their fathers and husbands. Grounded in critical theories of dual consciousness and comparative conflict, the findings provide valuable insights into how this population navigates the intersections of family, school, and community within the context of the criminal legal system, and, in the process, underscore the relevance of Abolitionist practice in capturing their theoretically lived experiences. Participants documented through photography and narrative reflections the multifaceted impacts of incarceration on fathers and husbands, including disrupted family dynamics, social stigma, and barriers to community resources. A focus group with the mothers of these youth highlighted the profound impact of incarceration on their family structure, revealing significant emotional burdens for caregivers as well as personal changes to parenting styles as a result of this project. A central theme that emerged was the development of a “double” or “dual consciousness”—an ability to see humanity and injustice in their circumstances, fueling a desire for systemic change. Overall, this CBPR project amplifies the voices of marginalized youth and mothers, illuminating how the criminal legal system perpetuates cycles of trauma, stigma, and disempowerment. The implications call for a radical reimagining of the role of social work in creating more equitable, restorative, and healing-centered communities, including an immediate embrace of Abolitionist practice concepts and interventions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b333ac878e7c4e65bcd7bf7d43aa73e4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-0760 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-b333ac878e7c4e65bcd7bf7d43aa73e42025-08-20T03:32:33ZengMDPI AGSocial Sciences2076-07602025-06-0114741110.3390/socsci14070411A Photovoice Study on the Lived Experiences of Youth and Mothers of Incarcerated Fathers and Husbands, Highlighting the Relevance of Abolitionist Social Work PracticeElizabeth K. Allen0Jason Ostrander1Kate Kelly2Division of Education, Health and Social Work, University of the District of Columbia, 4200 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, DC 20008, USADepartment of Social Work, Anna Maria College, 50 Sunset Lane, Paxton, MA 01612, USASchool of Social Work, Sacred Heart University, 5151 Park Avenue, Fairfield, CT 06825, USAThis community-based participatory research (CBPR) study explored, using a Photovoice methodology, the lived expeiences of northeastern Black and/or African American youth and mothers who were currently experiencing the incarceration of their fathers and husbands. Grounded in critical theories of dual consciousness and comparative conflict, the findings provide valuable insights into how this population navigates the intersections of family, school, and community within the context of the criminal legal system, and, in the process, underscore the relevance of Abolitionist practice in capturing their theoretically lived experiences. Participants documented through photography and narrative reflections the multifaceted impacts of incarceration on fathers and husbands, including disrupted family dynamics, social stigma, and barriers to community resources. A focus group with the mothers of these youth highlighted the profound impact of incarceration on their family structure, revealing significant emotional burdens for caregivers as well as personal changes to parenting styles as a result of this project. A central theme that emerged was the development of a “double” or “dual consciousness”—an ability to see humanity and injustice in their circumstances, fueling a desire for systemic change. Overall, this CBPR project amplifies the voices of marginalized youth and mothers, illuminating how the criminal legal system perpetuates cycles of trauma, stigma, and disempowerment. The implications call for a radical reimagining of the role of social work in creating more equitable, restorative, and healing-centered communities, including an immediate embrace of Abolitionist practice concepts and interventions.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/7/411community-based participatory research (CBPR)children with incarcerated parents (CIP)double-consciousnessabolition social work practice |
| spellingShingle | Elizabeth K. Allen Jason Ostrander Kate Kelly A Photovoice Study on the Lived Experiences of Youth and Mothers of Incarcerated Fathers and Husbands, Highlighting the Relevance of Abolitionist Social Work Practice Social Sciences community-based participatory research (CBPR) children with incarcerated parents (CIP) double-consciousness abolition social work practice |
| title | A Photovoice Study on the Lived Experiences of Youth and Mothers of Incarcerated Fathers and Husbands, Highlighting the Relevance of Abolitionist Social Work Practice |
| title_full | A Photovoice Study on the Lived Experiences of Youth and Mothers of Incarcerated Fathers and Husbands, Highlighting the Relevance of Abolitionist Social Work Practice |
| title_fullStr | A Photovoice Study on the Lived Experiences of Youth and Mothers of Incarcerated Fathers and Husbands, Highlighting the Relevance of Abolitionist Social Work Practice |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Photovoice Study on the Lived Experiences of Youth and Mothers of Incarcerated Fathers and Husbands, Highlighting the Relevance of Abolitionist Social Work Practice |
| title_short | A Photovoice Study on the Lived Experiences of Youth and Mothers of Incarcerated Fathers and Husbands, Highlighting the Relevance of Abolitionist Social Work Practice |
| title_sort | photovoice study on the lived experiences of youth and mothers of incarcerated fathers and husbands highlighting the relevance of abolitionist social work practice |
| topic | community-based participatory research (CBPR) children with incarcerated parents (CIP) double-consciousness abolition social work practice |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/7/411 |
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