Exploring the Impact of Women's Harassment in Prison on Family Dynamics: A Comparative Study
Abstract
Analyzing women’s harassment in prison one can raise the issue of women’s rights violations and consequences which affect not only women themselves, but also their families. The purpose of this research is to establish how women in prison perceive harassment has affected their families with a focus on emotional, financial, and social aspects. Qualitative research is adopted in the study with a focus on interviews and case histories of families who are victims of such incidences within the different cultural and economic strata. Two main methods were employed in data collection: Interviews with family members of incarcerated women; Interviews were semi-structured and the data collected was analyzed thematically with the view of comparing patterns that were similar and different. Studies show that harassment in prison severely threatens family roles and brings about additional changes such as psychosocial disturbed functioning and unmet financial needs besides enduring stigmatization. Comparative assessment brings out stark differences in the effects of these often-citing difference in cultural practice, economic status, and ready access to resources. Fear was a recurrent feature especially among children and spouses and the low-income earners reported a high financial impact. This work therefore highlights the need for change in prison facilities through humane treatment of women in prisons as well as shouldering off any such spillover effects on families. The study also raises a need for providing programs for families of women who are in jail, especially in issues to do with mental health as well as social adjustment. In this way, this research enhances knowledge of the interconnected issues concerning the wide social ramifications of prison harassment, together with future policy modifications and studies.
Keywords: Women’s Harassment, Prison, Family Dynamics, Comparative Study, Psychological Impact, Social Consequences.
