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The possible selves of young fathers in prison

The possible selves of young fathers in prison
The possible selves of young fathers in prison
Drawing on the social psychological concept of possible selves, this study explores the future self concept of young fathers in prison. In considering life after release from prison, qualitative data relating to hoped-for, feared and expected possible selves was generated by 34 young fathers aged between 18 and 21 years. The most common categories of hoped-for and expected selves related to employment and parenting, whereas feared selves related predominantly to offending or a return to prison. The prevalence of possible selves relating to parenting suggests that parenthood is a key component of the representations of present and future identity of young fathers in prison. Findings are discussed in relation to the positive aspect of parenthood for young men in prison, parenting identities in the transition from custody to community, future research directions and the development of interventions targeting young fathers in prison.

identity, possible selves, young offenders, fathers, prison
0140-1971
941-949
Meek, Rosie
018e0d68-7b66-483c-b769-1d4583cb4d85
Meek, Rosie
018e0d68-7b66-483c-b769-1d4583cb4d85

Meek, Rosie (2011) The possible selves of young fathers in prison. Journal of Adolescence, 34 (5), 941-949. (doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.12.005). (PMID:21334059)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Drawing on the social psychological concept of possible selves, this study explores the future self concept of young fathers in prison. In considering life after release from prison, qualitative data relating to hoped-for, feared and expected possible selves was generated by 34 young fathers aged between 18 and 21 years. The most common categories of hoped-for and expected selves related to employment and parenting, whereas feared selves related predominantly to offending or a return to prison. The prevalence of possible selves relating to parenting suggests that parenthood is a key component of the representations of present and future identity of young fathers in prison. Findings are discussed in relation to the positive aspect of parenthood for young men in prison, parenting identities in the transition from custody to community, future research directions and the development of interventions targeting young fathers in prison.

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Published date: October 2011
Keywords: identity, possible selves, young offenders, fathers, prison

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 186007
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/186007
ISSN: 0140-1971
PURE UUID: 80ce605b-4d08-46da-8a7f-600270a78a58

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Date deposited: 11 May 2011 15:00
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 03:16

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Author: Rosie Meek

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