What do it mean to be a felon? Or to be know as a Mother of a felon.

What do it mean to be a felon? Or to be know as a Mother of  a felon.
The American Heritage Dictionary states:
felon n. 1. law. A person who has committed a felony

Now what is a felony?

felony n. 1. any of several crimes, such as murder, rape, or burglary, considered more serious than a  misdemeanor and publishable by a more stringent sentence.

We have children that wear this name like a badge of honor. I hear them, when they ask, if they could get a job doing something that, looks like it would great/fun. They shout it out "I am a felon".

And, the other person, did not even asks or expect that to come from that person.
 What do this sticker or name do to a person deem wicked? How do a mother conduct herself in making the adjustment to this new life, with police, court dates, etc.?

What do it mean?