Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory

This paper analyzes Bronfenbrenner’s ecological system of theory. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological system of theory has played a role throughout my life. There was a point in my life that I knew I needed to start my education. Several reasons that had involvement with my decision were family, friends, job, and my community. The ecological approach to human development influences why I am continuing my education.According to Crandell, Crandell, and Vander Zanden, (2012), “Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological system theory centers on the relationship between the developing individual and the changing environmental systems,” (p.

48). The first factor of the theory is the microsystem. The microsystem consists of group systems that involve physical surroundings. The next step is mesosystem which involves the interrelationships between several situations. The exosytem is defined as societal constructions that affect somebody’s life. The macrosystem is the primary social model of a union that is found in a person’s life.The chronosystem is the historic context of human development (Shaffer & Kipp, 2010, p.

65). Microsystem In 1999 I worked at a daycare for minimum wage and I knew this was not the job that I wanted to be at for the rest of my life. I had a five- year- old son and was pregnant with my second child therefore; this job could not provide for a family of three. I had a supervisor that micromanaged, and the work environment became hostile. I decided to pursue an associate degree in Criminal Justice. I worked full time and went to school part time for several months.

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Eventually I had to stop work because of health reasons, and I had to ask myself what would be my next step after undergrad. The hardest thing for me to do was change some people in my life so I can begin this journey of change. My microsystem included my family, my church, and my neighbors. In this system I had the most direct contact with my family because they assisted me with my journey back to school providing by free child care. Mesosystem My family was very supportive of my going back to school. My grandmother and my aunt watched my children while I worked full time at night and went to school during the day.The people in my community also played a major role by volunteering to transport me back and forth to work. My car suffered a damaged transmission and it cost money to get repaired. Instead of my neighbor and church member charging me full price if labor, he only charged me for the parts. My peers tried to alter my views on education by trying to convince me to partake in the night life activities. Even though it was hard for me to juggle school and work, I managed to complete my task successfully. The communication between my family and neighbors played a key role in my success.Exosystem After the birth of my second child I began work through a temporary agency called Manpower. This is a company that finds a job for individual for a fee. The job offered no benefits so I depended on government assistance to bridge the gap. My family lacked the basic needs of a stabile home and I was a low-come parent struggling from day- to- day just to make ends work. I encounter job stress because I was laid off from my temporary position because the job had downsized. I began snapping at my children and other family members because I became stressed.Through prayer and supplication things began to turn around for me and my family. I knew I had to do some research on college level courses so I could better myself and provide for my children. I made a conscious decision to go to school full time. This model also helped my decision to enter into Grad school because I observed other lifestyles and I knew I wanted to be more. Macrosytem As I took a step back, I began to analyze my life and realized there were some people worse than me. I knew my religion played a huge part in my life and I knew I was looking for a higher power.According to the New International Version (1983),” the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endurenth to all generations” (Psalm 100:5). The way I was had some influence on my choice to obtain a master degree. I knew I could change my environment by changing my peers. I had to be in control of my surroundings and my household. Different factors such as low income job, healthcare, and a single parent shaped my life. However, sometimes I wondered did I make the right decisions. It gets hard sometimes being a single mother working fulltime, and going to school. ChronosystemThe last model deals with individuality and society. Society is changing for the worse and I being a single Black mother must change also. Oil prices and food prices have risen tremendously. In order for a person to change he or she must compete with society. Things rapidly have changed over past generations. The changes have changed the mindset and actions of individuals. Human development plays a major role in our universe. According to Crandell, Crandell, and Vander Zanden, (2012), “human development over the life span is a process of becoming something different, while remaining in some respects the same”,(p. ). This is a true statement and coincides with Brenfenbrenner’s model. They all have indeed shaped my decision in enrolling in Grad school.References: Crandell, T. L. , Crandell, C. H. , & Vander Zanden, J. W. (2012). Human development (10th ed. ), Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. New International Version. (1983). The Holy Bible. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers. Shaffer, D. R. & Kipp, K. (2010). Develpmental psychology: childhood and adolescence (8th ed. ), Belmont, California: Wadsworth- Cengage Learning