Examining the Lived Experiences of Children of Incarcerated Black Males

Abstract

With the use of standpoint theory, this study seeks to uncover the lived
experiences of children with formerly or currently incarcerated black
fathers. Standpoint theory acknowledges a person’s social position and
helps the researcher understand that a person’s location in society has a
major impact on how they respond to everyday realities they encounter.
Traditionally, standpoint theory has been used to bring voice to women
in a feminist framework. Our hope is to encourage the voice of children
with formerly or currently incarcerated black fathers; specifically,
because this phenomenon has been a consistent bi-product of their
community and family structure for far too long. In-depth interviewers
were conducted with adult children (18 years or older) who selfidentified
as having a formerly or currently incarcerated black fathers.
Participants ranged in age from 21-46 and included four women and
four men. Findings indicate three overarching themes: (1) ability to be
loved/ability to love; (2) bad men; and (3) filling shoes.