My ecological model (Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model)
ECON 100B
The cap and trade system is an economically and environmentally ideal policy that sets a price and reduce emission simultaneously. The proponents of CTS in California might have assumed that the emission of sulfur dioxide is similar to that of carbon dioxide. They might have concentrated on the success of the policy in the management of sulfur because it is easily applicable in controlling this pollutant but not carbon dioxide. Greenhouse gases are emitted from a range of sources like the production of power, locomotives, and production plants for fertilizer and animal feed, among others. The CA’s CTS may not have captured the management of carbon dioxide since the most effective way of controlling this pollutant is cutting the use of energy. The proponents may also assume that the CTS improves energy security, which is the opposite. The policy erodes the energy security of a state by limiting the importation of imported oil. The system may still fail to attain the optimal level of greenhouse gases, even with the least cost. Domestic CTS, like in the case of CA, produces marginal impacts on the environment and climate. Even if the CA can reduce its emission to zero, other states in the U.S and across the world will replace the gains in emission within a short time.
My ecological model (Bronfenbrenner’s ecological mode
Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model explains that human development is influenced in childhood years by different environmental systems. His ecological systems theory presented four environmental systems whose contexts influence our individual development. These systems include the microsystem, the mesosystem, the exosystem, and the macrosystem. The microsystem is the context with elements that the individual interacts with directly. The mesosystem consists of the interaction among microsystem elements and how they affect an individual. The exosystem consists of elements with which the individual lacks direct control over in the development environment but which still affects an individual indirectly. Lastly, the mesosystem contains the child’s cultural patterns and values, especially the society’s dominant beliefs and ideas, and the economic and political systems present during development. In this paper, I aim to use Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model to describe myself at the age of 11 years and how the various environmental systems could have impacted my personality development as an adult.
At the age of 11 years, I was a black male living in a rural area on the outskirts of a major city. At this age, I was in sixth grade in Precious Angels elementary school. I was bright enough to understand what was happening in the family as well as what was expected of me by my parents, the school, and society. I was also a curious young boy who understood more than my age allowed, as my dad always stated.
My microsystem elements
At age 11, my dad had become a little distant, making our interactions minimal. He always encouraged me to become a respectable person. He took me to walks where he could buy me pleasantries sometimes. My mom was in charge of discipline and caned me, gave me punishments, and guided me when I erred, which I was not short of. I lived with my little sisters as my brother had gone to work in the city and who constantly advised that I work hard in school so that I could join him. Due to my mother’s long absences in some cases, I took the responsibility of cleaning up my sisters’ clothes, which I really hated. Sometimes I would take revenge by bullying them around when my parents were absent.
My classroom teacher Mrs. Wilson put a lot of emphasis on the importance of studying, taking great offense at incomplete or undone assignments. The punishments which included detention were sometimes administered to the lazy me. It took a toll on me as my classmates ridiculed me after every punishment. However, Mrs. Wilson still encouraged me to enhance my academic efforts stating that it was the key to bid poverty farewell.
My friends who happened to be my schoolmates even though at different classes joined me in the various mischiefs that I did both in school and out of school. It was at this age that we bullied a 4rth grade girl who was common for us, but this time stole her luggage on her way home. We were referred to Mr. Callaghan, who was a local police officer for some advice. After giving us some advice and referring to some individuals who had been jailed or shot dead, we felt remorseful, and I did not take part in the offense ever again. Other than that, my friends and I played football, and also took nature walks in the nearby forest hunting birds with slings.
I was relatively close with my two neighbors (Naomi and Lucy), who also happened to be my mother’s best friends. They used to send me to the shops to buy them some household necessities leaving some change for me, which I used for sweets among other pleasantries. I also did little chores for them at small pay. They always criticized why I could not be just a good boy and do the chores for free.
My grandmother and aunts lived in another neighborhood but in the same locality. I visited them during that year’s holidays, after which I was taught how to dig, and tend after cows, goats, and hence claiming that I had become a man even though it was to an extent tough. I asked my uncle what a man meant, and he explained to me about taking responsibilities, protecting one’s family, among others. In my grandmother’s place, my aunts took disciplinary responsibility, pinching my ears every time I made little mistakes here and there. My grandmother sometimes protected me but always taught me through stories of how life had turned ugly for bad-mannered little boys, and prosperous for the good-mannered ones.
Supposed influences of Microsystem elements on my development
I think my current discipline was sourced from my mum and aunts, who nurtured me at the tender age. This is in addition to all the advice given by my parents, relatives, neighbors, and teachers. My fear of crime and my respect for the law instituted by the police officer and the various punishments I got for indulging in unwanted behavior. The responsibilities that I took taking care of my younger sisters still make me feel as if I am still responsible for them. I call them inquiring about their wellbeing often to an extent one sister made me realize I was intruding in their private life.
Concerning my strong academic foundation, I believe it is mostly attributed to my class teacher. However, my dad, my uncle, and my relatives’ encouragements, coupled with the school’s strict rules, forced me to work hard until high school, where I became conscious of the importance of education. It is the strong academic foundation which has steered me to building my current career.
I think my love for business was birthed from the payable chores that I did for my neighbors. This is what led me to freelance activities to generate money for myself and are still venturing into more lucrative business opportunities.
The frequent hunting trips in the nearby forest are responsible for my love for nature. Till now, I always join nature walk events to go adventure in forests. These walks remind me of the fun that I had with my friends in our local forest in my young years.
My mesosystem elements
It was at this age that my mum and dad separated at the start of the 6th-grade year. This was after a series of unending arguments that would sometimes wake my siblings and me up at night. In February, my dad moved out of home and went to live in an undisclosed location. Conditions at home became tense. It was no longer normal, my dad used to help me with homework, and now I had to do it on my own. I longed for my dad and even sometimes asked my dad whether he was coming back, always giving me false hopes. He never came back home.
My grandmother and the extended family tried to reconcile my parents, but I think the situation was beyond repair. I could no longer afford school fees, and it took the intervention of my grandmother and uncle to support my mum to keep me in school. Life got harder as my dad reduced his financial support to us after the separation. My mum’s friends (neighbors) often helped my mum with some basic necessities.
My relatives held a family gathering that year, which consisted of my grandmother, aunts, uncles, and adult cousins, which I think concerned the separation. I was a kid back then, and so I was not allowed to attend nor hear what was transpiring. I played with my cousins until the meeting ended. After the meeting, we went home with foodstuffs, mainly rice and flour, and some money. I learned that we had been offered some finances as we could no longer borrow nor ask assistance from my mom’s friends.
My dad, however, did not cut his close contact with my classroom teacher. Any mischief was reported to him, and he tried his best to advise me to be on my best behavior when he visited. My classroom teacher then took note of me and started to closely monitor my academic progress. I was cornered and had to ensure that I completed my homework and reduced my mischiefs. In school, my classmates used to compete against themselves. I never took part in the endeavor. However, and when my dad left, I was defeated by some weaker students, which demoralized me. I think my class teacher noted it and properly advised and encouraged me.
Later in the year around November, I discovered that my mum had remarried after the stepdad, and she moved with us to his house at the start of December the same year. Even though he was not extremely well, he provided us with our needed basic necessities.
The likely impacts of mesosystem elements on my development
I think the link between my dad and the class teacher always ensured I was at least putting some effort, for I knew he had his eyes in school. My class teacher got to learn about my family situation, which made him sympathize with me sometimes when I reacted inappropriately in class. The arguments at home, which included in the abuse, taught me abusive vocabulary, which I struggle to let go of now. In addition and after being disappointed after our family broke, think that’s when my hot temper was birthed.
The responsibilities are given to me by my mum’s absenteeism created in me a responsible attitude to my sisters till now. I have grown to be an independent man because I learned to sort my issues and those of my sisters without relying on external help. The unity in our family and the effort in trying to help us, cultivated closeness with my relatives to date. I respect them for their support in our younger years, and I always make it an obligation to take part in the solution of arising challenges involving our family members. Concerning my stepdad, and since then, I still do not feel comfortable interacting with him, I guess, due to the psychological distress that encompassed our meeting environment and which I sometimes felt him responsible.
My exosystem elements
Even though my dad could get good money often, which could sustain us effectively, he spent a large quantity of it on alcohol. This made life difficult and pleasantries a luxury. I often admired other kids in school who made a display of the items that their parents afforded them. A month prior to the separation, my dad’s drinking habits intensified and were noticed by our conservative Christian neighborhood, which added us to the list of their list of drunkard families. There was a time a shopkeeper told me that our family was cursed, and we should invite a pastor to relieve us of evil spirits that had befallen our family.
The divorce took a toll on me as I loved it when my parents were together. Many families around us had broken or were on the verge of breaking, making it a societal norm. I had always desired that our family would stay intact forever. I feel they are responsible for my negative attitude towards getting married and my hot-tempered personality which could have developed from the disappointment. The divorce alienated me from my beloved father as I could not associate and listen to him more often. With my dad not around, I joined my friends in creating mischief around, including stealing other classmates’ possessions, bulling smaller boys and girls. It was the stealing that led me to be caught and referred to the local police officer for counseling.
The separation and finally moving out of our house and where I was born alienated me from my friends as the place was relatively far. I limitedly visited them due to the distance limitation. I became very lonely in my new neighborhood. I was supposed to start making friends from scratch, which did not amuse me. I once complained to my mum, who sympathized with me, but told me that he would pray to God that I get better friends and even love the new neighborhood.
In school, and around mid-year, our headteacher was replaced with a very strict madam. I thought her nice at first until she announced at the parade that some protocols concerning how we conducted ourselves had changed. She talked about how indiscipline cases were high and that detention hour had increased, and suspension from games would be instituted on those who engaged in disruptive behaviors. After five students were subjected to these measures, I knew it was time to be on my best behavior in school for fear. Classwork and assignments increased as teachers prepared us for the 7th grade. It felt tough to be in school at such a time. I sometimes wished that learning was made a choice so that I would never have to subject myself to the strict code of behavior and the increased assignments, which were sometimes difficult.
In my new neighborhood, there were constant insecurity issues where people often talked about being mugged or talked about a person who had undergone it. This sometimes made me fear walking after nightfall. I would also meet officers arresting some male youth in the neighborhood. My mum later restricted me from walking after nightfall, and also cautioned me from interacting with most of the kids around claiming that most of them were ‘rotten.’ It became more boring as getting friends around became an apparent challenge.
The likely impacts of exosystem elements on my development
Due to the effects of dad’s alcoholism on our family, I think that’s where the hatred for alcohol originated. The labeling that happened with my neighbors also instilled in me a distaste for alcohol and alcoholics in general. I always find it challenging to interact at a personal level with friends who partake in the substance.
Moving to a new house alienated me from my friends, and the new neighborhood could not sufficiently provide me with replacements. I learned to be comfortable being alone. Currently, I find more pleasure while alone than in the company of my friends. I think the insecurity challenges in my neighborhood made me dislike the area, and when I was independent enough, I settled far away from the place and in a safer place. This is because I would not wish my kids to grow up in such an environment.
I think that the divorce and the disappointments that I had after experiencing the ordeal are responsible for my volunteer counseling services to kids with psychological challenges, some of which are attributed to their family situations. I get sympathetic at what they pass through, having experienced the ordeal myself.
Macrosystem elements
In was a norm in the neighborhood that people should attend church services. I remember most of the time being forced to wake up early on Sundays to attend church with my mum saying that people who didn’t go to church would be subjected to eternal hellfire. The idea itself was horrifying. I, therefore, took it upon myself to attend church punctually. In the church, I still attended Sunday school, which was a smaller church version for children. I was taught the morals required for getting to paradise, which was, at most times, too difficult to maintain. I once asked my dad why he constantly missed church services even after it was taught that he would be damned. I remember him smiling and evading the question. I never asked him again about it. After resettling in the new neighborhood, my mum was invited by her friend to a local Baptist church, which soon became our official church. In my childhood and also in my 11th year, Easter, Advent, and Christmas holidays had huge significance. We held church feasts, shared pleasantries, and my parents ensured that I always had new clothes for the period. I always looked forward to celebrating the holidays due to the many pleasantries that accompanied them.
The education system was a much-respected area with everyone encouraging young children to study hard to earn a prosperous life in the future. This idea was hammered into me by my parents, relatives, teachers, neighbors, and anyone who happened to be a friend to my parents. When we did a test, the brighter students were often promised better lives, unlike the lazy students. I struggled to maintain being an average student to avoid being considered a loser by my classmates.
The other idea that governed our neighborhood was that crime does not pay. This was evident from the multiple times that adults were caught either peddling drugs, stealing or hurting other people. In church one day, a reformed convict narrated his near-death experiences while in crime and the horrendous experience he had in prison. I also came across rumors of people who had been shot dead while in robberies. This and without a doubt made me understand that in most cases, engaging in crime would never give me a good life, which I envied.
Another element that indirectly affected me was a relatively poor financial background. This made me have only friends with backgrounds similar to mine. I was uncomfortable interacting with other friends on a personal level.
In our neighborhood, a hardworking culture was developed and preached. People would often point at individuals whose honest hard work paid, improving their living standards and social status. I, therefore, understood from the onset that if I was to make it in life, working hard was a requirement.
The likely impacts of macrosystem elements on my development
I took over my mum’s religious beliefs and still attend church services, which guide most of my morals and behaviors. However, it is not out of fear like before, but due to the various church debates I have attended and which have convinced me that it is a worthy cause being a Christian. I still celebrate Easter, advent, and Christmas. The poor background has since developed in me empathy and built-in me an urge to help those in need have been in similar shoes. I have, however, learned to be independent enough to be contented with the little I can afford as I had gathered experience living without pleasantries in my younger years. The educational mottos have since steered me through college, and I aim to pursue an education at even higher levels due to the realization of the opportunities provided by education.
I think my hardworking nature was copied from my society. It has enabled me to acquire things I need and also guided me to a path of business endeavors all aimed at attaining financial stability. This is so as to provide my kids with the items I lacked in my childhood. I also believe that my experiences with crime situations and how they landed people into trouble can be attributed to my honest legal business endeavors and my utmost respect for the law. The scenarios presented to me at a young age instilled in me the belief that crime or illegal endeavors always bring with them trouble.
Conclusion
After analyzing this model and the likely influences of the various environmental systems, I have come to believe that this ecological model clearly explains why I have this personality. Listing the various elements and reflecting on their influences have shown me that whatever I am, be it my attitudes, beliefs, or values, were cultivated during my childhood years even though it was an unconscious process. Religion and the police systems formed my moral values, my microsystem elements strengthened my educational foundation, and the societal working cultures informed on my hardworking tendencies. The model has also provided insight into the possible source of my high temper, hatred for alcohol, and trust issues in interpersonal relationships. With all these insights that I have gained, I surely believe that this model’s concepts can be used to accurately describe the development of any individual.
Developmental theories are those theories that subdivide a child’s development into various stages, which are characterized by qualitative behavioral differences. This makes many of these theories to follow a similar pattern in explaining human development. Comparing Bronfenbrenner’s model with the psychological model by Erikson would, for instance, demonstrate similarities even though some differences also appear. They both split child development influencers into stages. However, with Urie’s model being subdivided into four systems, and concerned with socio-cultural factors, Erikson’s model presents the human life as a series of crises which have to be successfully passed if their development is to take a positive trend. Otherwise, a negative trend is to be expected.
Freud’s psychoanalytic theory can also be compared to Urie’s model as both models explain human development and psychosocial stages even though differently. According to Freud’s theory, and unlike in Urie’s model, Freud claims that human behavior is depended on the interaction between the mind components; id, ego, and superego. According to Urie’s model, childhood socio-cultural experiences determine morals, attitudes, and beliefs while according to Freud’s model, and in the various developmental stages, he claims that if nurturing and parenting does not happen properly, then a person becomes fixated resulting in the arising of negative behavioral aspects. It is worth noting, however, that most of Freud’s psychosocial stages would fall under the microsystem if they were to be considered in Urie’s model.