Approche éthogenique des logiques d’actions sous-tendant le maintien versus l’interruption du lien entre un père incarcéré et son enfant

Abstract

This study investigates behaviors related to maintaining or interrupting the bond between incarcerated fathers and their child(ren), based on their narratives. To shed light on this analysis, we employed the “ethogenic” theoretical framework, which aims to elucidate culturally shared norms and goals that guide behaviors. In this context, 13 incarcerated fathers were interviewed as part of a parenting support program regarding their relationship with their children since their incarceration. The collected narratives distinguish between the logics of actions favoring the maintenance of this bond (the desire to “preserve their identity as a father”, to continue “meeting their child's emotional needs”, and to “cope with the prison conditions”) versus the logics of actions leading to the interruption of this bond (the desire to “preserve their paternal image”, to “shield their child from the reality of the prison environment”, to “preserve family resources”, and to “focus on their adaptation process to this environment”). In general, this research has highlighted action dynamics that may impede bond maintenance, dynamics that can be addressed within the prison setting through parenting support initiatives. Numerous studies emphasize the positive effects of such initiatives, including inmate rehabilitation and recidivism prevention.