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The Weaponization of Motherhood

Wed, Nov 13, 11:00am to 12:20pm, Salon 7 - Lower B2 Level - Area 5

Abstract

The increase in women being incarcerated continues to rise at rapid rates. While women significantly are sentenced to less time in state or private prisons, the collateral consequences are drastically more intense compared to men sentenced to state or private prisons. Previous literature has very little expansion regarding the discussion of adoption while mothers are incarcerated, the waiving of maternal rights during incarceration, and attempts at reunification post-release from state or private prisons. While literature does discuss that women are incarcerated at reduced time frames, the system uses these short time frames to break up family units permanently. Using social control and social disorganization theories, this study aims to expand upon the literature and fill in gaps discussing the collateral consequences of incarceration that are specific to women. This study uses a qualitative analysis of interviews conducted with formerly incarcerated women to understand their perceptions of motherhood prior to incarceration, during incarceration, and post-release. Using a comparison to fatherhood while incarcerated, this study provides a direct understanding of how motherhood is weaponized by the American legal system. The comparison also provides a baseline for how incarceration for women differ from incarceration from men.

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