Brofenbrennar’s Ecological Model

Brofenbrennar’s Ecological model of human development offers a comprehensive framework to look at the environment of a child in a dynamic social context.

Howe, J. (1999) Early childhood, Family and Society (pp 39-40) Katoomba NSW: Social Science Press

Levels of the Ecological model

There are four levels to the Ecological model

•The Microsystem

•The Mesosystem

•The Exosystem

•MacrosystemThe Chronosystem is where all the above systems are set

Micro-systemMicro-system

Input

School

Family

Church

Meso-Meso-systemsystem

Society

Culture

Community

Macro-Macro-systemsystem

Exo-Exo-systemsystem

Chrono-system Chrono-system

Jacob Quon Zheng Behavio

urPeers Neighbourho

od Play AreaHealth Services

Extra curricular activities

Extended Family

Friends of Family

Neighbours

Legal Services

Social Welfare services

Fathers work

Mass Media

Local government

Local Council

School Board

Local Hospital

Culture and Cultural values

Nationality and language

Religion

Government

Economy

Media

Society and Social Policy

Characteristics of Jacob Characteristics of Jacob ZhengZheng

Name:Name: Jacob Quon Zheng Jacob Quon ZhengAge:Age: Six years old Six years old

Gender: Gender: MaleMaleReligion/Spirituality: Religion/Spirituality: CatholicCatholic

Ethnicity:Ethnicity: Australian born Australian born ChineseChinese

Family Pattern:Family Pattern: Mother Father Mother Father and baby sisterand baby sister

Socio-economic Status:Socio-economic Status: High High SESSES

The Microsystem

The microsystem is the inner most layer of the Ecological system . It encompasses the child’s immediate personal environment.

J, Linden (1998) Understanding Child Development (pp 167) London: Macmillan Press

The Microsystem consists of the face to face settings with which children are involved and have direct contact.

Bowes, J.& Grace, R (2009) Children Families and Communities (pp 8) (3rd Ed.) Oxford University Press Vic. Aust.

Children’s socialisation occurs within this setting

J, Linden (1998) Understanding Child Development (pp 167) London: Macmillan Press

Jacob’s Microsystem

Family: Father, Mother and younger sister

School: St Thomas’s Catholic Primary School

Peers: Jacob has numerous friends those from school, his neighbours, his sports mates and his family friends

Church: St Thomas’s Catholic Church

Neighbourhood play area: Young area and child friendly

Health services: Doctor, Dentist, Hospital, Physio

Extracurricular Activities: Tennis, Little Athletics, Soccer, Self-defence, Horse-riding and Piano Lessons

Pets/Animals: Sammy the golden retriever.

The Mesosystem

The Mesosystem refers to the connections and the relationships that exist between two or more Microsystems that influence the child .

(K.L, Seifret 1997, pp7)

Jacob’s Mesosystem

Home – school: Jacob has a close relationship with his teacher at school, as does his mother who walks Jacob to and from school each day. His parents are actively involved in the school both parents are on the PnF committee.

Home – Church: Jacob has a close relationship with his parish priest Father Bob and is currently learning sign language. His family attend church every Sunday and his mother types the parish bulletin.

Neighbourhood – School: Jacob lives in a street full of young families in a wealthy northern suburb. He and his family are friendly with all their neighbours and have access to parks, bike tracks, swimming pool and libraries etc.

Home – Sporting activities: Jacob is actively involved in various sports. His family accompany him to all his extra curricular activities and his father is the soccer coach.

The Exosystem

The Exosystem defines the larger social system in which the child does not function directly.

D, Paquette & J, Ryan n.d Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (Electronic version) 2 Retrieved 16th March 2009 from http://pt3.nl.edu/paquetteryanwebquest.pdf

“The influential environments which affect the child indirectly but in which the child does not

directly participate”

(Howe, J. 1999 pp 44)

Jacobs Exosystem

Extended Family: Auntie Rachel, Grandparents living in China and the Central coast

Friends of Family: The Liu’s, The Jones’, The Fitzpatrick's, The Goldberg’s and the Nader’s

Neighbours: The Eearly’s, The Waide’s, The Chudoba’s, The MacMahon’s,

Fathers work: Doctor’s surgery located in the home, No weekend work and no appointments after 7pm,

emergency home visits on occasion.

Mass media: The internet, television and radio

Social welfare services: Community centre, Family Support Service, Neighbour aid, Anglo care, St Vinnies, Salvo’s, Centrelink

Legal services: Legal aid, solicitors, accountants, courts, policing

Local government: Willoughby City Council

Local council: Ku-ring-gai council area

School boards: Parents and friends, Soccer club, Parents and friends

Local hospital: The Royal North Shore Hospital

Jacobs Exosystem

The Macrosystem

“The Macrosystem determines the particular patterns which are manifested in the Microsystem, Mesosystem

and the Exosystem levels of society.”

(Howe, J. 1999 pp 44)

“The effects of the larger principles defined by the Macrosystem have a cascading influence throughout the

interactions of all other layers.”

The Macrosystem is the outermost layer in the child’s environment.

D, Paquette & J, Ryan n.d Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (Electronic version) 2 Retrieved 16th March 2009 from http://pt3.nl.edu/paquetteryanwebquest.pdf

Jacob’s MacrosystemJacob’s Macrosystem

• Nationality: Multi-culturalNationality: Multi-cultural• Culture: primary basis of Australian culture has been Anglo-CelticCulture: primary basis of Australian culture has been Anglo-Celtic• Cultural values: material comfort, wealth, competition, individualism Cultural values: material comfort, wealth, competition, individualism

etc.etc.• Language: English Language: English • Religion: Predominantly Catholic Religion: Predominantly Catholic • Education: Education is valued Education: Education is valued • Government: Labour Government: Labour • Economy: Laissez-Faire Capitalist economy currently facing a Economy: Laissez-Faire Capitalist economy currently facing a

recessionrecession• Society: Constitutional democracy based on a federal division of Society: Constitutional democracy based on a federal division of

powerspowers• Social policy: social policy establishment that defines what ‘social Social policy: social policy establishment that defines what ‘social

problems’ are and prescribes the policies needed to resolve them. problems’ are and prescribes the policies needed to resolve them. • Media: Global village through use of the internet, television, radio and Media: Global village through use of the internet, television, radio and

various other technologiesvarious other technologies

The ChronosystemThe Chronosystem

The Chronosystem describes the broad social changes over a child’s life.

All other systems operate against the conditions of the Chronosystem. (J, Linden 1998 pp 167)

The Chronosystem encompasses the dimension of time as it relates to a

child’s environment.

Elements within this system can be either external or internal.

D, Paquette & J, Ryan n.d Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (Electronic version) 2 Retrieved 16th March 2009 from

http://pt3.nl.edu/paquetteryanwebquest.pdf

Broad societal changes and environmental events can affect the development of the child

(J, Linden 1998 pp 168)

Jacob’s ChronosystemJacob’s Chronosystem

Horse riding incident: startled horseHorse riding incident: startled horse

Father’s absence: Work emergencyFather’s absence: Work emergency

Implications of head injury and brain Implications of head injury and brain trauma: trauma:

Physical: No longer able to participate Physical: No longer able to participate in extra curricular activities in extra curricular activities

Cognitive: No longer able to perform Cognitive: No longer able to perform tasks as beforetasks as before

Schooling: No longer in gifted and Schooling: No longer in gifted and talented program no longer able to talented program no longer able to

attend selective school attend selective school

FAMILY STRUCTURESFAMILY STRUCTURES• Of the 5.9 million families in Australia in 2006-07, 85% Of the 5.9 million families in Australia in 2006-07, 85%

(5.0 million) were couple families, 14% (808,000) were (5.0 million) were couple families, 14% (808,000) were one parent families and 1% (81,000) were other one parent families and 1% (81,000) were other families families 48.1% of total families in Willoughby were couple 48.1% of total families in Willoughby were couple families with children compared with 49.3% for the families with children compared with 49.3% for the Sydney Statistical Division.Sydney Statistical Division.

• In Willoughby 12.1% were one-parent families, and In Willoughby 12.1% were one-parent families, and 15.6% for the Sydney Statistical Division. 15.6% for the Sydney Statistical Division.

• For the Sydney Statistical Division there were 168,224 For the Sydney Statistical Division there were 168,224 people living in a registered marriage with two people living in a registered marriage with two dependant childrendependant children

• In Willoughby there were 2936In Willoughby there were 2936

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Marriages, Australia, 2006, (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing, 2006, (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au.

Age StructureAge Structure• Analysis of the age structure of the Willoughby City in 2006

compared to the Sydney Statistical Division shows that there was a smaller proportion of people in the younger age groups (0 to 17)

• Overall, 21.2% of the population was aged between 0 and 17 for Willoughby, and 16.7% for the Sydney Statistical Division.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing, 2006, (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au.

ReligionReligion• Analysis of the religious affiliation of the population of the Willoughby City in 2006 Analysis of the religious affiliation of the population of the Willoughby City in 2006

compared to the Sydney Statistical Division shows that there was a smaller proportion of compared to the Sydney Statistical Division shows that there was a smaller proportion of people who professed a religion but a larger proportion who stated they had no religionpeople who professed a religion but a larger proportion who stated they had no religion

• Overall, 66.7% of the population nominated a religion, and 21.8% said they had no Overall, 66.7% of the population nominated a religion, and 21.8% said they had no religion, compared with 74.9% and 14.1% respectively for the Sydney Statistical Division.religion, compared with 74.9% and 14.1% respectively for the Sydney Statistical Division.

• The dominant single religion in the Willoughby City was Catholic, with 25.6% of the The dominant single religion in the Willoughby City was Catholic, with 25.6% of the population or 16,330 people as adherentspopulation or 16,330 people as adherents..

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Religious Affiliations, 2006, (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au.

Extra-curricular activitiesExtra-curricular activities• In the 12 months to April 2000, 1.6 million children In the 12 months to April 2000, 1.6 million children

(59%) participated outside of school hours in sport (59%) participated outside of school hours in sport that had been organised by a school, club or that had been organised by a school, club or association.association.

• Not only was the participation rate higher for boys Not only was the participation rate higher for boys (66%) than girls (52%), the percentage of boys (66%) than girls (52%), the percentage of boys participating in more than one sport was greater participating in more than one sport was greater (32% compared with 20%).(32% compared with 20%).

• Participation in organised sport outside of school Participation in organised sport outside of school hours ranged from a low of 32% for children aged 5 hours ranged from a low of 32% for children aged 5 years to a peak of 69% for those aged 11 years.years to a peak of 69% for those aged 11 years.

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Extra curricular activities, 2006 (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au.

SPORTS WITH MOST PARTICIPANTS

The sports that attracted most boys were outdoor soccer (with a participation rate for boys of 20%), swimming (13%),

Australian Rules football (13%) and outdoor cricket (10%).

PARTICIPATION IN MOST POPULAR SPORTS

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Population by Age and Sex, 2006, (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au.

LEISURE ACTIVITIESLEISURE ACTIVITIESParticipationParticipation

Almost all children (99.8%) participated in at least one of the selected Almost all children (99.8%) participated in at least one of the selected leisure activities outside of school (2,641,500). It is estimated that, within leisure activities outside of school (2,641,500). It is estimated that, within

the total population of children aged 5-14 years (2,647,500): the total population of children aged 5-14 years (2,647,500): • 2,601,000 (98%) watched television or videos 2,601,000 (98%) watched television or videos • 1,981,000 (75%) spent time reading for pleasure 1,981,000 (75%) spent time reading for pleasure • 1,870,500 (71%) played electronic or computer games 1,870,500 (71%) played electronic or computer games • 1,644,800 (62%) rode their bike 1,644,800 (62%) rode their bike • 1,311,200 (50%) participated in art and craft activities 1,311,200 (50%) participated in art and craft activities • 604,500 (23%) skateboarded or rollerbladed.604,500 (23%) skateboarded or rollerbladed.•

For boys, the most popular leisure activities were watching television or For boys, the most popular leisure activities were watching television or videos (99% or 1,338,600), playing electronic or computer games (82% or videos (99% or 1,338,600), playing electronic or computer games (82% or 1,110,800), bike riding (70% or 957,400), reading for pleasure (68% or 1,110,800), bike riding (70% or 957,400), reading for pleasure (68% or 919,200), art and craft (39% or 529,800), and skateboarding or 919,200), art and craft (39% or 529,800), and skateboarding or rollerblading (28% or 386,400). For girls, the most popular leisure activity rollerblading (28% or 386,400). For girls, the most popular leisure activity was watching television or videos (98% or 1,262,400), followed by reading was watching television or videos (98% or 1,262,400), followed by reading for pleasure (82% or 1,061,800), art and craft (61% or 781,500), playing for pleasure (82% or 1,061,800), art and craft (61% or 781,500), playing electronic or computer games (59% or 759,700), bike riding (53% or electronic or computer games (59% or 759,700), bike riding (53% or 687,400), and skateboarding or rollerblading (17% or 218,200). 687,400), and skateboarding or rollerblading (17% or 218,200).

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Extra curricular activities, 2006 (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au.

Ethnicity and LanguageEthnicity and Language• The dominant non-English speaking country of birth in the The dominant non-English speaking country of birth in the

Willoughby City was China, where 5.3% of the population, or 3,356 Willoughby City was China, where 5.3% of the population, or 3,356 people, were born.people, were born.

• Overall, 62.6% of the population spoke English only, and 31.2% Overall, 62.6% of the population spoke English only, and 31.2% spoke a non-English language, compared with 63.9% and 29.3% spoke a non-English language, compared with 63.9% and 29.3% respectively for the Sydney Statistical Division.respectively for the Sydney Statistical Division.

• The dominant language spoken at home, other than English, in the The dominant language spoken at home, other than English, in the Willoughby City was Cantonese, with 7.6% of the population, or Willoughby City was Cantonese, with 7.6% of the population, or 4,840 people using this language.4,840 people using this language.

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing, 2006, (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au.

Social-economic StatusSocial-economic Status• Analysis of individual income levels in the Willoughby City in 2006

compared to the Sydney Statistical Division shows that there was a larger proportion of persons earning a high income (those earning $1,000 per week or more) but a smaller proportion of low income persons (those earning less than $400 per week).

• Overall, 34.3% of the population earned a high income, and 31.2% earned a low income, compared with 21.7% and 38.1% respectively for the Sydney Statistical Division.

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Proportion of High Income Household 2006, (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au.