Ecological Theory of Bronfenbrenner - Essay Example

Running Head: BRONFENBRENNER ECOLOGICAL THEORY Topic: Bronfenbrenner Ecological Theory Lecturer: Presentation:Introduction Bronfenbrenners Ecological Theory focuses on the environmental influences that affect the development of an individual. Laura (2008) observes that it usually varies in different cultures depending on the prevailing environmental conditions. Apart from the external environment, the child’s biological characteristics are also part of the primary environment that affects his/her growth. It interacts with the external environment, which includes the child’s family as well as the society in which he/she grows. Inconsistencies that may occur in any of the environmental factors may adversely affect the development of a child. This means that when studying issues concerning development in children, the environment in which they live should not be ignored. This essay is a critique of how bronfenbrenner’s levels of influence shaped my development. It is an application of the ecological theory analyzing how these environmental factors influenced my decision to enter graduate school to obtain a master’s degree. Bronfenbrenners Ecological Theory Microsystem The first system is the microsystem, which refers to the environment in which a child lives. This includes the parents, peers, teachers and the parents of other children. Under the microsystem, the individual engages in many direct social interactions with the environmental components. For example, children interact directly with the teacher in school, parents at home and peers during play. The experiences that an individual acquires under these circumstances are through active participation in the social environment. In other words, an individual contributes to the settings of the social environment, and also affects the lives of others (Santrock 2007). As a child, I attended high school in Colombia where I was born and brought up. The social setting adversely affected my life especially when my parents divorced at the age of 13 years. She worked as a part time English teacher in an adult school, and stayed with us most of the time. I and my two brothers got to know much from our mother whom we stayed with most of the time than we did from our father who worked as a full time engineer. However, all the family members knew each other. In the small city where we lived, I had many friends from the neighborhood when I was a child. We were many, and we used to play together. Each of us knew that we were obligated as children to respect our elders regardless of whether we knew them. This contributed to my development as an honest person who respected other people. I also acquired the capability to interact with peers, which has been an important source of knowledge throughout my life to the present. Mesosystem This is the relationship between the environmental components of the microsystem or the interconnections that exist between these components. For example, the family background, or the environment in which a child grows may adversely affect the performance of the child at school as well as the way he/she relates with other children. On the other hand the religious setting under which the child is brought up may affect the behavior of the child at school, at home as well as his/her relationship with peers, and behavior at home (Laura 2008). For example, the relationship between a child and the parents largely affects his/her relationship with teachers as well as other children. This indicates the interrelationship that exists amongst the various environmental factors of the microsystem. The relationship between religion and my school community was strong due to the fact that it was a private catholic school. I therefore grew as a God fearing person, believing in the super natural power who I believed since childhood was the creator of the universe. My studies later in life regarding the evolution theories sounded contradictory, but I realized that they were important in order for me to pass examinations. This is an indication of the relationship between the church environment and the school that I attended. On the other hand, the community in the neighborhood where I was brought up had a different opinion regarding religion. It was not emphasized as it was done in school. Teachers at my school were very encouraging in regard to our future after we finished school. They served as our mentors, and instilled in us hopes for accomplishing our personal goals in future, to become prosperous adults in various fields. They were very concerned about our welfare in school, especially ensuring that they helped us overcome any hindrances to excellence in studies. The teachers were the third party that influenced my life to a great extent. They helped me to acquire confidence and skills that have been essential in all my engagements. Exosystem In course of the growth of an individual, there are certain social settings whereby he/she does not to actively participate. However, the experiences of such a setting affect the child too, even though it does not have to be in the child’s immediate background. For example, the frequency of interactions between the parents and the child may be affected by workplace commitments. There are certain values and practices that may direct the manner in which members of a particular community ought to behave or believe, or certain behaviors that are prohibited or unwelcome in the society (Zanden et al 2007). For example, children were not allowed to use make up until the age of 15 years in my community. Engaging in sexual relations was also prohibited until an individual attained the generally agreed age of 15 years. It was believed that at that age, a person was capable of making a wise decision regarding sensitive issues that could adversely affect his/her life. The family institution was highly respected Other aspects of the exosystem in the community that I grew up were issues such as wealth and possessions. They affected the manner of socialization to a great extent. Social classes ruled who an individual would engage in dealings or socialization. I was not exposed to information technology in my childhood days. This means that equipments such as computers and cell phones were beyond reach. However, we used to communicate through other means. In general, the exosystem largely affected my socialization, especially in regard to the gap that existed within the community between the rich and the poor. Macrosystem Cultural aspects are significant in shaping the life of an individual. These are incorporated in the macrosystem. They vary from one community to the other, as well as from country to the other. For example, a child growing up in a developed economy may exhibit different characteristics from the one growing in a less developed one. Differences in ethnicity, race and class are also important factors that influence the growth of a child. In other words, it is how things are done in different places. An individual has to accept what the community has agreed is right (Woodside et al 2006). I grew up in a middle class family, which made it possible for me to attend school and accomplish high levels of education. The society at the time was very family centered. Columbian mothers really did not work outside of home and very involved in the raising of the children. Primarily, women were responsible for raising the children. Fathers worked outside the home. This made the children to develop a strong relationship with the mother. However, the high dependence of mothers on the working fathers created the link between all the family members. The men in the community were more educated than the women, which was a factor that contributed to the maintenance of the dependence of women on men. I personally like to be independent, and I know that this can be accomplished through education. This is one of the reasons why I chose to undertake a master’s level program. In addition, I am divorced now, which generates much desire to get high level education in order to cater for my personal needs and also be able to cope with the many challenges that I am likely to meet in life. Chronosystem This is mainly the integration of all the environmental components that affect the growth of an individual. It involves events that often have an impact on the growth of an individual at the beginning, after which the effect ceases to have a notable effect, such as divorce. In the initial period after a divorce, the children are largely affected, after which the situation ceases to be adverse. After a period of time, the family can interact in a manner similar to the original family interactions. For example, my grandmother passed away while I was at Colombia and while I was a child and that affected me. I used to spend a lot of time with her. However, the strong feelings of sorrow faded and I gradually developed the strength to live without seeing her. This did not affect my idea of undertaking a master’s level program. References Laura T. D. (2008). A Bronfenbrenner ecological perspective on the transition to teaching for alternative certification. Journal of Instructional Psychology, Vol. 5(3), pp 67-76 Santrock, J. W. (2007). A Topical Approach to Life-Span Development. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Woodside A., Caldwell M. and Spurr R. (2006). Advancing Ecological Systems Theory in Lifestyle, Leisure, and Travel Research, in: Journal of Travel Research, Vol. 44, No. 3, 259-272. Zanden, J. W., Crandell, T. L., Crandell, C. H. (2007).Human Development. 8th edition (ed.), New York: McGraw Hill. Read More