Motherhood and imprisonment: a typology of mothers' identity after release.

Abstract

Purpose: Imprisonment is a bitter and painful experience for women, often exacerbating the difficulties and challenges of motherhood and their relationship with their children. This study aims to explore the narratives of mothers regarding their maternal identity and present a typology of mothers with prison records as they resume contact with their children after release.

Design/methodology/approach: This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to collect data. It is based on the experiences and narratives of 18 Iranian women, all of whom had at least one child, who were either imprisoned or had recently been released at the time of the interviews.

Findings: Three distinct types of motherhood were identified in relation to how these women encountered their children: "Terminated motherhood," "Intensified motherhood" and "Indifferent and hostile motherhood." In "Terminated motherhood," the mother-child relationship is severed due to forced or voluntary loss of custody, leaving both parties with little hope of resuming their bond. "Intensified motherhood" in contrast, emphasizes the formation of a strong mother-child bond and mutual relationship, highlighting their connection. "Indifferent and hostile motherhood" represents a relationship on the brink of dissolution, where the mother-child bond may collapse at any moment due to neglect or emotional upsets.

Originality/value: Social and economic support is essential for maintaining and strengthening the mother-child relationship, particularly for women in the indifferent and hostile motherhood category. Such support can facilitate their reentry into society and promote healthier family interactions.