Millions of children are affected by parental incarceration in the United States; however few studies have attempted to explain the psychological consequences of parental incarceration for these children. The present study explores the psychological effects for school-age children who experienced the loss of their father through the life histories of three adult males. A mixed methodology approach is used, in particular ethnographic research methods that utilize qualitative data. It is expected that school-age children will have disruptions and difficulty with attachment, psychosocial, and moral development. As hypothesized, an association between paternal incarceration and psychological effects including attachment, identity development, and moral development were found in the life histories of the men studied. Additionally, an increased risk for intergenerational incarceration was found as a common thread.