intergenerational costs

Stigmatization is often thought of as an individualized burden. But can this shameful mark be experienced by and shared with others? New work published in The Sociological Quarterly by Veronica Horowitz and colleagues investigates how legally imposed monetary sanctions act as intergenerational transfers of stigma and burden.

Through the analysis of 70 interviews with debtholders in Minnesota, the research team revealed that children, parents, and those subject to legal monetary sanctions all experienced stigmatization. Those individuals who attempted to overcome their debt sometimes prioritized paying fines over providing support for their children, which contributed to intergenerational impacts. Further analysis showed that parents of the fined who provided financial assistance felt the impact of stigma. Where past research underscores that mothers often front the bill for their adult children’s legal obligations, the current study makes clear that both mothers and fathers provide support. Fathers, especially, experienced anger along with the financial strain. Many of those who were fined had both debt and children, and they felt immense stress, hopelessness, financial strain, and a belief that they may never catch up on payments. Whether probation fees, fines, or restitution, the monetary sanctions experienced by people in this study affected multiple generations and most greatly impacted disadvantaged families.The intergenerational harm wrought by monetary sanctions makes clear that this form of punishment spreads far beyond making those who do the crime pay the fines.

The fact that the penal system most greatly impacts those who are disadvantaged is not news. But the intergenerational harm wrought by monetary sanctions and their attendant stigma is—it makes clear that this form of punishment spreads far beyond making those who do the crime pay the fines.