Essay Example on Child Development: Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory

Bronfenbrenner's theory came from the name of the founder. The primary purpose of writing the theory was to elaborate on how the inherent qualities of the kids and their ecosystems affect how they develop and grow through their interaction. Also, it explains the significance of evaluating kids from numerous ecosystems, to know about their development. Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory claims that kids always find themselves in numerous environments starting from an intimate home ecosystem to a considerable school scheme and finally to the enormous scheme that entails culture and community (Zhang, 2018). All the ecosystems affect the kids' aspects through their interaction. The model entails five levels: microsystem, ecosystem, chronosystem, mesosystem, and finally, the macro system. This paper is going to discuss how the ecological system has influenced Tim's development and growth, according to Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory.

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The first level is a microsystem, which is the tiniest and immediate ecosystem in which the kids live. It entails the home, peer group, daycare, and society. The interactions in this level entail the personal relations they have with teachers, family, and caregivers. Through this interaction, the children's lives tend to be affected because this is the critical age (Tudge et al., 2016). It is in this ecosystem that the kids' relationships become supportive and nurturing. In Tim's case, it is evident by how he had challenges of interacting with the new family at the age of four after witnessing the death of his parents. As a result of that, he avoided the new family, and they thought he had a speech delay. However, he became better after he started interacting with his adoptive brother and found out that they share similar interests like sports and drawing. Through his relationship with the brother, he came out of his shell and excelled.

The second stage is the mesosystem. It entails the interaction of numerous microsystems of the kids' lives. It is the links that are between school and home or family and society. Bronfenbrenner's theory claims that if the parents and guardians involve themselves in the kids' lives, it creates like-mindedness and harmony that positively affects their lives (Ashiabi & O'Neal, 2015). According to Tim's case, it is evident that the relationship at home and school positively affected his life, and that is why he was able to excel not only in the studies but co-curriculum activities. Tim excelled in high school and university and even attained a master's degree.

The third level is the ecosystem. It entails the linkages that are among more than two settings. However, one may not affect the children's development directly but indirectly. According to the theory, places and individuals may influence the children's lives even if they do not have a direct interaction (Zhang, 2018). Examples of these people and places are neighborhoods and the workplaces of the parents. In Tim's case, it is evident that the parents did not have a difficult time at work to lash out their problems to the children. It is evident from how they even tried to help when Tim was avoiding them, and the fact that he had good grades means the home environment was astonishing and peaceful.

The fourth stage is the macro system. It is the biggest but most distant group of places and individuals to the kids, but they still influence them to a great extent. It entails children's values and cultural patterns. The most considered one is ideas and beliefs and economic schemes (Tudge et al., 2016). When an individual is from a challenging environment, it negatively affects their development, but a peaceful one influences them positively. In Tim's case, it is evident that the new family maintained a peaceful environment. It is evident when he kept getting good grades and finding a passion for new things like tennis and the band.

The final stage of the theory is chronosystem. Per Bronfenbrenner's theory, this level demonstrates the effect of constancy and change in the kids' ecosystems. It entails family structure change, employment status, and economic cycles; these are but a few (Ashiabi & O'Neal, 2015). Tim changes the family structure when Kathy and Brian adopt him after the death of his parents. Despite the change affecting him in the first year, he later adapted after interacting with the brother, who brought him close to the parents. However, he turns out to be an enjoyable and successful child who works for as a manager in an architectural firm.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study of Bronfenbrenner's theory helps in demonstrating how various environments affect the development and growth of the children. Also, through the evaluation of the theory, we have understood how various environments can impact the child negatively or positively. However, according to Tim's case, it is evident that his environment influenced him positively.

References

Ashiabi, G. S., & O'Neal, K. K. (2015). Child social development in context: An examination of some propositions in Bronfenbrenner's bioecological theory. Sage Open, 5(2), 2158244015590840. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2158244015590840

Tudge, J. R., Payir, A., MerçonVargas, E., Cao, H., Liang, Y., Li, J., & O'Brien, L. (2016). Still, misused after all these years? A reevaluation of the uses of Bronfenbrenner's bioecological theory of human development. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 8(4), 427-445. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jftr.12165

Zhang, Y. L. (2018). Using Bronfenbrenner's ecological approach to understand academic advising with international community college students. Journal of International Students, 8(4), 1764-1782. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=KhZ-DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA1764&dq=bronfenbrenner%27s+ecological+system+theory+on+child%27s+development&ots=sFNpAE2Xkq&sig=oOEg86MUA-PQahQSJ46tfpHdNa0