Urie Bronfenbrenner developed the Bioecological Model to help better understand the
development of children. Nature versus nurture is the question of influence most people turn to
when looking at child development. Bronfenbrenner took the nature versus nurture argument and
expanded on it, pointing out that "children are influenced by social, economic, and political
forces as well as their family” (Bergin & Bergin, 2018). Within the Bioecological Model there
are six systems nested together with the child at the core. The five levels surrounding are all
ecological and provide significant influence on the child’s development. Some of the systems are
directly linked to the child and their daily lifestyle (e.g. family, child care, school, etc.). Other
systems indirectly affect the child (e.g. parents work place, government agencies, etc.). They all
intertwine to partake in the development of a child. Because of Bronfenbrenner’s model, we can
now see the balance of both nature and nurture within the development of a child. Neither nature
nor nurture can determine how a child will develop alone, but together “these interactions may
develop into relationships that are embedded in the larger culture” (Bergin & Bergin, 2018).
Looking at child development from a biblical worldview though contrasts with
Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Model, showing no ties to nature as part of their development.
Proverbs 22:6 states “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not
depart from it” (The Holy Bible, 1611/1952, Proverbs 22:6). This scripture is signifying that
children will stick to the nurtured effects within their lifetime. So if a child is taught how to be
kind, loving, and studious at a young age they will continue to grow as kind, loving, and studious
throughout their life. It is noted throughout the text multiple times that parents who are
authoritative help guide the child in their development in a positive manner. This goes hand in
hand with Proverbs 13:24, which states “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves
him is diligent to discipline him” (The Holy Bible, 1611/1952, Proverbs 13:24). This is
significant because children need structure and discipline in their life to support their
development in a positive manner. It is not a negative thing for parents to discipline their kids in
the appropriate way. This discipline can help them learn right from wrong and good from bad,
ultimately making their development positive in outcome.
In my opinion, I see value in both the Bioecological Model and a biblical worldview of
development. I believe that some things are genetically predisposed and unable to be changed
(e.g. low birth weight, rare diseases) as noted in the core in the Bioecological Model. I also see
the similarities between the Bioecological Model and a biblical worldview of development as
they both show nurture has a sizable effect on the development of a young child.
Bioecological Theory Discussion
References
Bergin, C.C., & Bergin, D.A. (2018). Child & Adolescent Development in Your Classroom,
Topical Approach (3rd ed.). Nelson Education.
The Holy Bible. (Revised Standard Version). (1611/1952). William Collins Sons & Co., Ltd.
Hi Kendra!
I too had never heard of the Bioecological Theory prior to this week’s reading. I like how you
explained that depending on the child and their upbringing that either nature or nurture could be
more heavily influenced in their life. Nature and nurture go hand in hand, meaning risks are
sometimes a possibility in their development. Striving to shape a positive environment within
your classroom is a wonderful aspect that any educator or caretaker should aim for. As noted in
the text, “Teacher-student relationships predict both social and academic competence” (Bergin &
Bergin, 2018). Creating that positive environment for children within the classroom helps all
children, whether they have risks or protective factors in their lives. Educators and caretakers
need to also make sure all relationships with the children are positive as well. If a classroom
environment is positive but the teachers are negative within their relationships, children will not
necessarily have a positive outlooks. Having a positive relationship and classroom will help
children grow positively both academically, as well as in their social skills. If the classroom is a
negative environment, it is more likely that the child with have negative social skills and do
poorly in academics. You also touched on finding that balance between the children and the
outside world. I agree that the balance is hard due to things out of the children's control, but by
bringing the positivity in the classroom aspect of their lives we (as educators) can have a
significant impact in their lives and on their development.
References
Bergin, C.C., & Bergin, D.A. (2018). Child & Adolescent Development in Your Classroom,
Topical Approach (3rd ed.). Nelson Education.
Hi Samantha!
I love how you broke down the Bioecological Model in individual terms for better
understanding. Children definitely can be effected by all parts of economic and social forces,
whether they are in the Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem or beyond in the Bioecological
Model. However, I do disagree with your view on how the biblical worldview follows and aligns
with this model. The Bioecological Model centers at the nature of the child. From there every
other surrounding level is focused on the economic influences children have in their lives,
whether first hand or indirectly. In a biblical worldview, there is no focus on the nature of the
child, only the nurture factor. You state the Bioecological Model can be very “me” focused, but
only the core focuses on one person, being the child and their genetic makeup. This has to be at
the center of the Bioecological Model because without the child there would be nothing to
influence. With a biblical worldview though there are no ties to nature as shown in the
Bioecological Model. Luke 2:40 states “And the child grew and became strong, filled with
wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him” (The Holy Bible, 1611/1952, Luke 2:40). For
children to grow with wisdom and strength they have to have protective factors in their corner or
overcome risk, which is a part of their nurture. We see that children can refocus their attention to
help them grow with such a wealth of strength and wisdom, but ultimately the nature of their
being (birth defects, rare diseases, etc.) could determine that they either struggle or fail to do so.
References
The Holy Bible. (Revised Standard Version). (1611/1952). William Collins Sons & Co., Ltd.
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