Surviving in the Darkness: Autobiographical insights of young adults who experienced parental incarceration in South Korea

Abstract

This study is intended to explore the experiences and coping mechanisms of Korean children with incarcerated parents. It examines the autobiographical narratives of seven young adults who experienced parental incarceration during their childhoods and subsequently participated in a writing program facilitated by an NGO. Drawing on the narratives of these seven individuals, the study explores the multifaceted effects of parental incarceration on their lives. The autobiographical narrative inquiry reveals a range of emotional responses, coping behaviors, available resources, and resilience trajectories of children who experienced parental incarceration. It also emphasizes the societal challenges and stigmatization faced by children of incarcerated parents in Korea's competitive and collective culture. Implications for policy change and social work practice will be discussed.