Social Work and Human Services
The ecological perspective is characterized by how a person adapts to the environment they live in. Not just adjusting but ensuring that the person and the environment are unitary, such the environment shapes their behavior and also shapes the surrounding (Robbins et al., 2019. In the case of Stan and Tina, they lived in village park despite Tina being brought up in New York (Hutchison, 2008, p. 242). The adapted to the lives of village park and became assimilated to the trends of the place and community high. The action can be explained through the following theoretical concepts
Competence
According to ecological theorists, competence is essential for the development of anyone. The theorist goes ahead to state that power is the ability one possesses to be great or successful in an environment (Greene, 2011). The ability is measured using the past success and achievement of the individual. Competence in the ecological perspective is characterized by the ability one possesses to make confident decisions, the self-esteem one has, social support from the environment, and the feeling of self-identity. The behavior of Stan and Tina displays all forms of competence in village park, and that is the reason they are successful. Both are successful in school, and as the case study states, they are innovators. Both of them are hyped for their unique dress code that is associated with the white culture. Apart from that, both have support from their teachers, parents, and support staff of the community high.
Role
From an ecological perspective, the concept of role is associated with self-esteem on possesses and how others view them. The idea is also associated with the position one holds in the society and the beliefs they possess (Greene, 2011). Tina is viewed as a strong proponent of black establishment, and she cannot be convinced of the power of the white establishment. She believes with better education and equal opportunities, the scales will be balanced between the whites and the blacks. The other students view her as an urban culture lady due to her dressing, which is made up of urban flavor and texture, which is the dream of most youths. That gives her a senior position or role among the other students. Stan is described as the definition of urban maleness due to his dressing and innovation skills. He was even chosen to represent the school in Washington, DC, where he dreams of attending despite his chances being slim (Hutchison, 2008, p. 242). His conduct in class has gained him favor with the teacher, and he has become a person that the other envy.
Habitat
Habitat in the ecological perspective refers to the physical and social setting that one is brought up. The niche may be favorable or unfavorable (Greene, 2011). The condition of the place will determine what type of person one will develop to be. In the case of Stan and Tina, they were brought up in different habitat. Despite the difference, they grew to like and defend village park where they live. For Stan, he was brought up in poverty and crime and violence. Her mother played a significant role in ensuring he liked school. The condition of the habitat forced him to venture into drugs to sustain his young family, bet the consequences were dire since he went to prison for that. He changed afterward and loved doing things the right way, as his behavior can demonstrate it in school. In the case of Tina, she was brought up in New York, and the condition was favorable. Despite that, once they moved to village park, she loved the place, and it shaped her to be successful in her education.
Goodness of Fit
The goodness of fit can also be referred to as the adaptiveness of a person. From an ecological perspective, it pertains to adapting to the environment and thriving (Greene, 2011). Stan was brought up in village park where the conditions were dire. Instead of giving up, he adapted and conquered the environment. He was even in the first line to champion for the needed change in the place. The same applies to Tina, who, after moving to village park and was enthusiastic about the black establishment, adapted quickly to the area and became successful in her endeavors.
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The family resilience perspective refers to the effort a family has to withstand and come out from disruptive challenges in life; they come out more resourceful and energetic. Several concepts apply in a family resilience perspective, which are beliefs, organization, and communication (Walsh, 2011, p 149).
Belief
Tina has her belief that despite the white domination that has surround village park, the blacks are still people to envy despite the social ills associated with the place that was the reason she can interact with her classmates without struggle despite being from New York. Her beliefs and her father’s aligned with views of people of village park, that was why the family had an easy time settling down there.
Organization
Organization refers to the support, flexibility, and stability one gets from the family (Walsh, 2011, p 149). With such, one can adapt to any environment despite it being not very friendly. Tina’s father was an engineer, and her stepmother was a restaurant manager; therefore, she had all the support she needed from her parents despite not knowing her birth mother. Her father brought her up stable, and therefore, she was able to persevere all the challenges she encounters. Apart from that, her father supports her beliefs about black equality.
Communication
Communication is being open, supportive, tolerant, and clear about the requirement of the family. With such support, one can solve any problem encountered. That was the same case with Tina; she had a supportive parent who always had her hand. The showed her the purpose of education and the need to be with friends. That was the reason it was easy for Tina to join a school in a place frequented with crime and social evils.
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The most helpful theory, in my opinion, between the five weeks, is the ecological theory. We live in an environment where we interact with many people and places. In the case of Tina and Stan was the ecological theories played a crucial role in making them behaved and successful in academics. In the case, it is evident that village park was a town inhabited with social ills but with the need for education. The environment made the two teenagers love school since it was the only way they were going to help solve the problems that encountered the town.
The least helpful theory, in my opinion, is family theories. In comparison to ecological approaches, the family theory was least beneficial. The reason being it is the influence of the environment that shaped the life of Tina and Stan. Families played a role but a minimal part compared to ecological theories.
References
Greene, R. R. (2011). Human behavior theory and social work practice (3rd ed.). Transaction Publishers.
Hutchison, E. D. (2008). Dimensions of human behavior: Person and environment. SAGE.
Robbins, S. P., Chatterjee, P., Leibowitz, G. S., & Canda, E. R. (2019). Contemporary human behavior theory: A critical perspective for social work practice (4th ed.). Pearson New York.
Walsh, F. (2011). Family resilience: a collaborative approach in response to stressful life challenges. Resilience and mental health: Challenges across the lifespan, 149-161.