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Question- Use Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory to evaluate a family that you know well. Include the five key systems. It does not have to be your own family. Please do not use their real names.

Student post- The basic definition of bioecological theory is assuming that “families are extremely complex and that to understand them we must examine family member’s biological makeups, personal characteristics, interaction styles, culture, religion, and even their neighborhoods.” (Marriages & Families in the 21st Century, 2017). When learning about Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory, we learn that there are 5 key systems, defined below:

Microsystem: the interactions with others from our immediate environment

Mesosystem: interactions within our microsystems, influencing development

Exosystem: indirect interactions affecting those within our microsystem

Macrosystem: cultural/societal influence, affecting development

Chronosystem: period of time, influencing development

Let me begin by examining the Smith Family (name changed). When looking at the Smith Family, John and Jane are the parents of Sally and Jack. The day-to-day interaction of this family is an example of their individual microsystem. Sally is dating Bill, Mr. & Mrs. Smith do not like Bill and have forbid Sally to date him, this has greatly affected the relationship Sally has with her parents and she has started to sneak around to see Bill, which is not something she has ever done before. Prior to Bill, Sally was always very honest with her family, but the interactions since Bill have altered her behavior, this is an example of the mesosystem. Mr. Smith is a veteran and has PTSD. He is on multiple different types of medication to treat this disorder and his doctors often change his medications causing friction between him and his wife, the doctors are an example of the exosystem. Jack has dealt with many emotional issues, partly due to his father’s PTSD and partly from his ADD diagnosis. He has recently joined a Christian church as a way to cope with his emotions surrounding his father’s PTSD and to learn acceptance of his own diagnosis. The Christian Community would be an example of the macrosystem. Luckily for the Smith family, they are not living in the era where PTSD and ADD are considered isolated issues and there are many support groups available to them, wherein the 1950’s, there may not have been as many support groups available. This time period would be considered the chronosystem.

Thank you, Juile

3 posts student post

Re: Topic 1 DQ 1

Good afternoon class and Professor,

I believe the five systems that are part of Bronfenbrenner's ecological system would be: microsystem, the mesosystem, the exosystem, the macrosystem and the chronosystem. After reading the article and what the different systems would be, I would have to say it would be my family. My upbringing affected who I am today as well as who I was growing up. However, I do not feel as if I was rejected growing up. I was raised in a loving Catholic family so, I had some values instilled in me and I also have my own morals about things. When I think deep down about it, I really don't think I was affected by anything. Maybe my parents were on the strict side and I ended up breaking some rules, but what teenager doesn't. Both of my parents worked while I was growing up but I never felt neglected by them. They both loved me dearly. I was not considered to be spoiled, but I did get the things I needed. I was lucky that my Dad was a teacher so he had his summers off to be with me and my brother. Both of my parents were hard workers. I feel some of that has rubbed off on me today. My Mom took on alot when I was growing up and now I am a hard worker like her and I feel I need to do it all for my family today. Today I wish I could go back to being a kid when things were easier and maybe I would do things differently. But overall, I learned a lot from my parents.

Thank you and have a good day.

Maria