Question

Ch 1, Section 3--(Worth 15 Points) LEARNING ACTIVITY 1.5 Applying Urie Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory to a “Hot Topic” in Child Development (pp. 26–28) Directions: You are to select a "hot topic" in child or adult development from the following list A-F and consider how each level of the environment may affect development, including bidirectional influences and the role of third parties. Laws Friends and neighbours A. the effects of divorce B. child abuse and neglect C. quality of child care D. the obesity epidemic E. public policies for children F. sex education programs in the schools. Mesosystem Child-care centre or school Workplace Mesosystem Values Customs Immediate family Individual MICROSYSTEM Neighbourhood Extended play area family Community health EXOSYSTEM services The ecological systems theory of Vrie Bronfenbrenner (1917–2005) views the child as developing within a complex system of relationships affected by multiple levels of the surrounding environment. Mesosystem MACROSYSTEM Topic Chosen: (Worth 6 pt) Figure 1. Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory (in Berk & Roberts, 2009, p. 28) 1. Microsystem: (Worth 3 pts) 2. Exosystem; (Worth 3 pts) 3. Macrosystem: (Worth 3 pts) _E. public policies for children

Answer 1

Introduction-The Ecological system theory had been proposed by famous Russian born American psychologist who worked on the relation between human development and environmental factors. The five systems of ecological developments are,

• Microsystem
• Mesosystem
• Exosystem
• Macrosystem
• Chrono system

The microsystem affects child behavior more effectively due to its direct presence, while the Mesosystem affects child behavior in indirect ways, such as the interaction between parents and teachers would also affect the behavior of a child. The rest three systems increase its area and cover the whole thing of a child’s environment.

Microsystem- The microsystems include direct environmental exposure which affects a child’s behavior in a particular manner. It also includes family, home, pets, schools, neighborhood and childcare environments. The microsystem affects child behavior more than any other layer because it affects directly and forcefully. A child has no choice to neglect this system as it is closest and influential until adolescence.

Exosystem-The Exosystem includes a large area, such as a parent’s workplace, agencies working for child rights, etc. it does not affect the child directly but it affects a child’s behavior precisely. The parent’s bad experiences would develop stress, anxiety and lack of social interactions which would affect the care of the child.

MacroSystem- The macro system is outermost level of the ecological interactions, it includes social values, developments, customs, the macrosystem affects the whole society so a child’s behavior. This system does work on a collective basis and engages with social conflicts, achievements, social space and needs. The macrosystem is a cover of all systems because it attached each system with development. The main effects of macrosystems can be seen in our social behavior because it affects symbolic things and ideas.

Here we will discuss the sex education programs in schools because it is affecting the whole society in different ways.

The sex education programs in schools still considered taboo, many parents believe that sex education is not necessary, according to the ecological system of development, we can consider this topic under the Exosystem where we interact with other members of society. Sex education programs help a child to understand biological and psychological needs and aspects of the human body so that it helps to develop a sound knowledge and transfer it healthily.

The Exosystem does not affect the child directly but it affects the whole behavior of the child because a lack of evidence and inclusion of conservative ideas develops conflicts and the child experiences ideological emptiness. Sex education programs do affect a child in both direct and indirect way, for self, it helps to develop factual and scientific information while indirectly it helps to develop unbiased gender attitude and ordinary behavior towards sexual activities. Sex education also satisfies curiosity and helps a child to control sexual feelings.