Ecological Systems Theory Analysis

There are many theories out there about how children develop and what influences them to do so the way they do. One theory, created by Urie Bronfenbrenner, is called the Ecological Systems Theory. His belief was that the environment affected the way a person develops. The environment is split into five levels: the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem. This theory explains why we might behave differently at home than when we are at work (Arnett, 2015). In this essay, I will talk about how the microsystem and macrosystem has influenced me. Also, I will describe a scenario in my future job where I might use the Ecological Systems Theory. To begin, the microsystem is the system that I am closest to and contains the
people I interact with everyday (Arnett, 2015). First, the main part of my microsystem is my home environment. My parents have greatly influenced me to be the person I am today. They have taught me how to be respectable and honest. My parents have also taught me to do chores that I will have to carry on in my own home. My mom has always supported me and gives me constant advice about everything. My parents are the number one major reason why I have developed the way that I have. I am dependable, honest, humble and determined all because of them. My second microsystem is my school environment. I’m constantly interacting with my professors and peers. My teachers from past years have taught me how to study and do well on tests. My peers have showed me how important it is to be social and work well with others. These have caused me to develop into someone who is social and good at academics. To move on, the macrosystem is the system that I am most distant from but it always has an impact on my development (Arnett, 2015).
Being born and raised in the United States has had a major influence on my development even if I have not always noticed it. My family does not have it all but I definitely have had and will have better opportunities than those living in third-world countries. I am used to having freedom and the right to an education. This makes me so lucky because being a woman I know that other women in other countries are not always allowed to learn and do whatever makes them happy. Keeping this in mind, I believe that living in the United States has made me grow into someone who is very grateful for every opportunity I encounter. Another important macrosystem is the socioeconomic status of my family. I am the oldest of five girls so I was not spoiled. Our family would be considered middle class. We have enough money where we can splurge on vacations occasionally but we cannot always get what we want. I had to get a job as soon as I turned fifteen so right away I had to become a responsible and reliant person. Being a hard worker is a value that has been passed on throughout my family just because everyone has had to work hard to live a comfortable lifestyle. I know I have had a really good life compared to others so I never take anything for granted. I have never been forced to take care of my siblings but naturally I have developed being a motherly figure
and caring for them along with my parents. To carry on, learning Bronfenbrenner’s theory will come in handy when it comes to my future career.
My work place will become a part of my microsystem. Since the Ecological Systems Theory helps us understand why we behave in our different environments, I know I will definitely act different at my job than I would at home with family. I can also use this theory to help decipher why a patient might be acting the way they are. Depending on their environment and how they were raised, I can try different approaches I might not have even thought of before just because I will have a better understanding of the patient’s different systems. For instance, if a little boy comes in with bruises all over his body and in ragged dirty clothes, I can start to get an understanding of his microsystem and macrosystem. First, his microsystem would include his immediate family like his parents. I can guess that the child may be abused and does not come from a healthy living situation. The child could be neglected physically and emotionally which is way he is not very responsive. Next, I notice the child has on clothes that are too small and dirty. I can assume that he comes from a poor family which would fit under his macrosystem. This could make him feel self-conscious and like he cannot receive any help. With just these few facts I gathered I know that I will have to approach him and care for him in a different way than I would for a little boy who came from a wealthy family. I would have to
make sure the boy trusts me and knows he can confide in me because if he is in fact abused, he will be very afraid of an adult who is also a stranger. Most often, people who come from poor families have a hard time taking things that are given to them because they have grown up learning that they need to work hard for everything and should not take any favors. The chances that the child would be like this is strong so I would also have to help him understand that it is okay to get assistance and that what I need to do for him is necessary. I do believe that this theory will definitely help me out with my future career. In conclusion, the Ecological Systems Theory does explain how the environment has shaped us. Through Bronfenbrenner’s five steps it is easy to see how the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem influence our development (Arnett, 2015). My own personal microsystem and macrosystem have helped make me the person who I am today and I am proud of the person I have become. I am sure the Ecological Systems theory will also help me in my future career.