Did you know that 1 in every 15 African American children in the US have a parent currently incarcerated? A lot of these children are very young- many are preschoolers and grade-school children. The emotional trauma these kids have to go through is immense.
This week, I attended a talk from a researcher at the University of Minnesota who is trying to change this despicable situation for children. Dr. Rebecca Shlafer has been working with Sesame Street production to develop a tool kit that consists of DVDs and interactive materials that will help children live a normal life without anxiety, shame or stress of seeing their parents in prison. Dr. Shlafer was recently called to the White House where her work was recognized. She will also conduct a comparative study on the behavioral differences among children who enter the Washington County Jail who use the Sesame Street tool kit before visiting their parents, and with children who do not use the tool kit. This will allow her to analyze the tool kit’s efficacy.
What a great idea to use the familiar orange, pink and blue Muppet characters to help children going through difficult times! Well, some people don’t think so. Dr. Shlafer’s work has been criticized because it is trying to change the popular concept that only “bad people end up in jails”. Our society’s attitude towards prisoners creates a negative perception among children about their incarcerated parents- that their dad or mom are “bad” people. When I asked what Dr. Shlafer’s response is to this criticism, she answered very clearly that she is trying to help the children, and that her project is not about their parents.
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