Brofenbrenner's Ecological Theory

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory
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Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory
I agree with Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological theory. Bronfenbrenner believed that the environment, or it’s ‘systems’, in which a person lives, influences them to varying degrees. (Witt, G.A. & Mossler, R.A. (2010). The ecological theory proposes that human development is best explained in terms of the interaction between individuals and the environment in which they live or have lived. . (Witt, G.A. & Mossler, R.A. (2010).

The Mesosystem, within my life, has proven to be a roller coaster ride for me. It involves neighborhood, family, school and church. My parents were divorced by the time I was five. My biological father is a biker, while my step-father is a dentist. The neighborhoods in my life were, sometimes, crazy and at other times they were really nice. Sometimes, I was involved in public schools, and sometimes, in private schools. My step-father involved me in church, as well. So the Mesosystem has definitely helped decide who I am today. I feel that I have been on all sides of the track, so to speak. I, also, would refer to myself as well rounded and able to understand many different living situations.

I have also found, as in the example of the Exosystem, that things can take a strange turn. The Exosystem describes funding, legal aid, and after school programs. These things may influence a situation that gives a child a chance that they wouldn’t have had. I have found, in my personal studies, children involved in some kind of extracurricular activities are far less likely to engage in things such as drugs, alcohol, and criminal behavior. It provides a sense of belonging coupled with, as I like to call it, no time for silliness.

I would lean more toward nurture V.S. nature in influential factors in development. I am getting a little tired of being told my child must belong to someone else, simply because of her drive and dedication. She was not just born that way, as some people think. I have worked hard to keep her situation stable so she can focus on her studies. I have also provided the funds to place her in private schools in two different countries, as well as countless hours working with her on her personal development. If you had four identical children and gave each one to a different person, I guarantee that you are going to end up with four incredibly different people.

I cannot trust, solely, in biology for deciding our futures, but I also think we can make cognitive decisions that can counter the circumstances in which we were raised. Ultimately, it is our own decision how we turn out in the end.

References
Witt, G.A. & Mossler, R.A. (2010) Adult development and life assessment, San Diego, Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

References: Witt, G.A. & Mossler, R.A. (2010) Adult development and life assessment, San Diego, Bridgepoint Education, Inc.