Understanding Child Development through Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory: A Case Study of Matthew

Running head: PARAPHRASE
Paraphrase
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PARAPHRASE
The development in children can be understood through a number of theories,
methodologies, approaches and case studies, these methods helps in understanding the scope of
learning about the various developmental stages found in the children, their behaviours and the
connection between the effect of changes upon an individual (Hoffnung, Hoffnung, Seifert,
Smith & Hine, 2010). Development of an individual is considered to be a process of the physical
and the social changes that the individual goes through, the biological, social and the emotional
growth experienced by the person whether knowingly or unknowingly (Hoffnung, Hoffnung,
Seifert, Smith & Hine, 2010). According to Bronfebrenner’s “ecological system theory” the
individuals are impacted in numerous ways (Hoffnung et al., 2010). According to this theory the
growth and development of an individual depends upon or is influenced by each and everything
surrounding the individuals with the help of five interrelated frameworks or systems. These five
systems are “microsystem”, “mesosystem”, “exosystem”, “macrosystem” and the
“chronosystem” (Swick & Williams, 2006). This is quite evident as Bronfenbrenner found that
the children live and grow while existing within these various frameworks, environments and
situations (Marion, 2011). The various environments help the children to experience all round
development in their mental as well as physical health.
Krause further clarifies the ecological theory by saying that earth and the environment is
in a way influenced by the different practices and behaviours and the qualities possessed by each
and every people existing within the ecological systems. Similarly the behaviour and the
constitution of an individual is also hugely influenced by the nature of the environment or the
ecosystem he/ she is brought up in (Marion, 2011). This essay will assess how the behaviour and
the conduct of Matthew are affected by the microsystem and the mesosystem, which belongs to

2PARAPHRASE
the five ecosystems of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory. This assessment will further help the
educators to examine the suggestions, which in turn they can use to learn about the pro-social
behaviour of Matthew and to learn his behaviour conduct.
Matthew is 5 years old he belongs to a blended family. He resides with his mother Laura
and Stuart who is his stepfather. He has two younger step siblings , Tegan, Olivia who is aged
two and Diesel who is 5 months old. Laura does not let Stuart to parent Matthew she considers
Matthew to be her child. The two parents have divided their family, with Laura looking after
Matthew and Stuart looking after Tegan and Olivia. Due to this situation, Stuart seems to move
far away from bonding with Matthew because he is not his biological father. The family also
have a gym and there Matthew is able to spend some time. The parents believe that Matthew has
learnt all his violence from the gym.
The microsystem as stated in the “Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory” refers to
the interactions that the child faces within his/her immediate environment (Krause, 2013).
Matthew chiefly interacts with his immediate family comprising of, as previously mentioned, his
mother Laura, stepfather and two other half brother and sister. Although Laura and Stuart are
both in a good relationship, yet Laura does not let Stuart to teach discipline to Matthew and this
is one of the biggest flaws in Laura’s upbringing. Both of the parents see that Matthew’s younger
half sister Olivia is imitating the behaviour of Matthew and they are worried about it and they
believe that if they do not sort out the problem then they may have to face greater issues in the
future. According to Laura, Matthew has almost three or four tantrums per day where he kicks
and punches others. After such an incident Matthew is normally sent into his own room as a form
of punishment and the door is kept shut. Laura is confused why Matthew acts in such a way but
she lets him to throw tantrums. According to Baumrind that both the parents should work with