Exploring the Effects of Parental Incarceration on Children’s Welfare in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examines the effects of parental incarceration on the welfare of their children in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, focusing specifically on their educational continuity and health status. A descriptive survey research design was employed, collecting primary data from a purposive sample of 110 children of incarcerated parents aged 12 to 21 years residing in Benin City. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (regression analysis/t-test). The study found a strong agreement among respondents regarding the negative consequences of parental incarceration. The demographic data showed that the incarcerated parent was the father for the overwhelming majority (95.5%) of the respondents. Specifically, the hypothesis testing confirmed two significant findings that Parental incarceration has a significant relationship with educational continuity of their children in Benin City and that the loss of a breadwinner due to incarceration significantly affect the health status of their children in Benin City, Edo State. The study concludes that parental incarceration and the resultant loss of a breadwinner significantly disrupt the educational continuity and health status of their children in Benin City. The findings underscore the role of financial necessity and trauma in compounding children's vulnerability. Recommendations include policy interventions like establishing emergency welfare funds to cover school fees and healthcare, integrating child support mandates into the criminal justice system, and implementing community support programmes such as expanded counselling services and microfinance loans for extended family caregivers. Ultimately, the work advocates for integrated interventions to mitigate the detrimental effects of parental incarceration in Nigeria.