From Stigma to Strength: Unveiling Resilience Among Children of Incarcerated Parents in South Korea

Background and Purpose: Parental incarceration is a widespread global phenomenon that profoundly affects millions of children and their families. However, the majority of research on the impact of parental incarceration has been conducted within the United States, where mass incarceration is prevalent. In contrast, there exists a notable dearth of studies focusing on children with incarcerated parents (CWIP) in South Korea. This scarcity of research is partly attributed to the cultural norms surrounding family honor and shame. Consequently, this study seeks to address this gap by delving into the resilience of CWIP in South Korea and examining their coping mechanisms in the face of the unique challenges and opportunities posed by their circumstances.

Methods: We recruited 14 adolescents aged 15 to 18 who had firsthand experience with parental incarceration through referrals from a local non-governmental organization in South Korea. Informed consent was obtained from both participants and their caregivers. Interviews were conducted in a safe and comfortable environment, covering topics such as the impact of parental incarceration, coping strategies, sources of support, personal growth, and future plans. Thematic analysis of audio-recorded and transcribed interviews was performed using MAXQDA software. The constant comparative method of qualitative data analysis was employed. Strategies like triangulation, member checking, peer debriefing, and reflexivity were employed to enhance trustworthiness and validity.

Findings: The analysis of the interviews revealed five main themes of resilience among the participants. First, the participants reported various coping strategies to deal with the stress and stigma of parental incarceration, such as avoiding the topic, accepting the reality, and communicating with incarcerated parents. Second, the participants emphasized the importance of social support from their family, friends, teachers, and the social welfare agency, who provided them with emotional and material assistance. Third, the participants demonstrated personal growth as a result of their adversity, such as increased self-reliance and self-awareness. Fourth, many of the participants showed a strong future orientation, as they had clear and ambitious goals for their education, career, and dreams. Finally, the participants demonstrated their love and reverence for their parents and grandparents, and a strong sense of responsibility toward younger siblings, influenced by traditional familism and Confucian values. These findings contribute to our understanding of the resilience exhibited by children with incarcerated parents in the unique context of South Korea.

Conclusion and Implications: The findings showed that the participants exhibited various forms of resilience, which were influenced by the cultural factors, as well as by their individual and family characteristics. The findings have several implications for policy change and social work practice, such as increasing the awareness and recognition of the issue of parental incarceration and its impact on children and families in South Korea, and reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with it. Particularly, social workers should help the CWIP balance their cultural obligations and personal aspirations. Social workers should also educate and empower children to challenge the stigma and discrimination they may face, and to assert their rights and dignity.