Urbanscapes and the Oversystem Framework by Bronfenbrenner
In the realm of human development, Urie Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory offers a comprehensive framework that explains how various environmental factors influence an individual's growth and development. At the heart of this theory lies the 'macrosystem', a broad and overarching construct that encompasses cultural, social, economic, and political contexts.
The macrosystem plays a pivotal role in shaping an individual's development by framing cultural and societal expectations, establishing socioeconomic conditions, shaping attitudes and behaviours, and providing a spatial/environmental context. For instance, cultural beliefs about education, family roles, or gender significantly impact how individuals are raised and interact in their immediate environments.
Poverty, as a potent macrosystemic factor, can limit a child's opportunities, leading to substandard housing, limited access to quality education and healthcare, and higher levels of stress and environmental chaos. Conversely, creating supportive environments within the community, such as advocating for safe neighbourhoods, accessible libraries, and quality after-school programs, is crucial.
Major historical events, like pandemics, wars, or economic crises, can have lasting impacts on individuals and societies, disrupting education, family life, and social interactions. Economic policies can influence a family's economic stability and impact a child's well-being.
Examples of macrosystems include cultural norms and values, gender roles, religious or philosophical ideologies, technological advancements, socioeconomic factors, poverty, economic policies, educational policies and standards, healthcare systems, major historical events, environmental attitudes and policies, and the digital divide.
The macrosystem, as defined by Bronfenbrenner, is the overarching pattern of micro-, meso-, and exosystems characteristic of a given culture or subculture. It is essential to note that the macrosystem does not function independently of the individual; it exerts its influence by affecting the operations of the inner layers, shaping daily experiences, and impacting individual development.
Research can help understand the impact of socioeconomic factors on child development and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. Policymakers can encourage responsible digital citizenship and media literacy to mitigate the negative influences of the digital age on child development. Developing evidence-based policies can help break down systemic barriers.
Promoting positive role models, challenging stereotypes, and advocating for diversity in media representation can impact societal attitudes and expectations. Bronfenbrenner's theory of human development has evolved from ecology to bioecology, with a recent development being the technologizing of his ecological theory.
Lastly, building back better post-pandemic requires strengthening mesosystemic connections for young people, ensuring access to quality healthcare, and addressing the digital divide to foster a supportive and equitable environment for all children.
- Urie Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory highlights the role of cultural norms and values, religious or philosophical ideologies, and technological advancements in shaping an individual's cognitive development.
- The macrosystem, including economic policies and societal expectations, significantly impacts parenting styles and child development, potentially affecting mental health and overall well-being.
- Research in education-and-self-development can shed light on the impact of socioeconomic factors on cognitive development and inform the design of effective interventions.
- Advocating for supportive community environments, such as providing safe neighborhoods, accessible libraries, and quality after-school programs, can help mitigate the negative effects of poverty on child development.
- Examining the effects of major historical events, like pandemics or economic crises, on societal values and educational standards can help understand their long-term impacts on child development and society.
- The bioecological theory, an evolution of Bronfenbrenner's original ecological theory, now includes the technologizing aspect, emphasizing the influence of digital media and the digital divide on child development.
- To build back better post-pandemic, it is necessary to strengthen mesosystemic connections, ensure access to quality healthcare, and address the digital divide to create a supportive and equitable environment for all children, fostering diversity and promoting positive role models in media representation.
