Question use bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory to evaluate a

1. Question- Use Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory to
evaluate a family that you know well. Include the five key
systems. It does not have to be your own family. Please do not
use their real names.
Student post- The basic definition of bioecological theory is
assuming that “families are extremely complex and that to
understand them we must examine family member’s biological
makeups, personal characteristics, interaction styles, culture,
religion, and even their neighborhoods.” (Marriages & Families
in the 21st Century, 2017). When learning about
Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory, we learn that there are 5
key systems, defined below:
Microsystem: the interactions with others from our immediate
environment
Mesosystem: interactions within our microsystems, influencing
development
Exosystem: indirect interactions affecting those within our
microsystem
Macrosystem: cultural/societal influence, affecting development
Chronosystem: period of time, influencing development
Let me begin by examining the Smith Family (name changed).
When looking at the Smith Family, John and Jane are the
parents of Sally and Jack. The day-to-day interaction of this
family is an example of their individual microsystem. Sally is
dating Bill, Mr. & Mrs. Smith do not like Bill and have forbid
Sally to date him, this has greatly affected the relationship Sally
has with her parents and she has started to sneak around to see

2. Bill, which is not something she has ever done before. Prior to
Bill, Sally was always very honest with her family, but the
interactions since Bill have altered her behavior, this is an
example of the mesosystem. Mr. Smith is a veteran and has
PTSD. He is on multiple different types of medication to treat
this disorder and his doctors often change his medications
causing friction between him and his wife, the doctors are an
example of the exosystem. Jack has dealt with many emotional
issues, partly due to his father’s PTSD and partly from his ADD
diagnosis. He has recently joined a Christian church as a way to
cope with his emotions surrounding his father’s PTSD and to
learn acceptance of his own diagnosis. The Christian
Community would be an example of the macrosystem. Luckily
for the Smith family, they are not living in the era where PTSD
and ADD are considered isolated issues and there are many
support groups available to them, wherein the 1950’s, there may
not have been as many support groups available. This time
period would be considered the chronosystem.
Thank you, Juile
3 posts student post
Re: Topic 1 DQ 1
Good afternoon class and Professor,
I believe the five systems that are part of Bronfenbrenner's
ecological system would be: microsystem, the mesosystem, the
exosystem, the macrosystem and the chronosystem. After
reading the article and what the different systems would be, I
would have to say it would be my family. My upbringing
affected who I am today as well as who I was growing up.
However, I do not feel as if I was rejected growing up. I was
raised in a loving Catholic family so, I had some values
instilled in me and I also have my own morals about things.
When I think deep down about it, I really don't think I was

3. affected by anything. Maybe my parents were on the strict side
and I ended up breaking some rules, but what teenager doesn't.
Both of my parents worked while I was growing up but I never
felt neglected by them. They both loved me dearly. I was not
considered to be spoiled, but I did get the things I needed. I
was lucky that my Dad was a teacher so he had his summers off
to be with me and my brother. Both of my parents were hard
workers. I feel some of that has rubbed off on me today. My
Mom took on alot when I was growing up and now I am a hard
worker like her and I feel I need to do it all for my family
today. Today I wish I could go back to being a kid when things
were easier and maybe I would do things differently. But
overall, I learned a lot from my parents.
Thank you and have a good day.
Maria
Running Head: EXPRESSING AN OPINION 1
EXPRESSING AN OPINION 2
Expressing an Opinion
Christopher Ziffra
ENG101 – Composition I
Colorado State University – Global Campus
Dr. Anne Carlisle
February 15, 2021

4. Expressing an Opinion
Whether to enroll in college immediately after high school or to
take a gap before college is a good question that different
people have discussed in various ways. Every individual has a
different opinion in response to the asked question. However,
debates about the same have been held by students in
institutions and other concerned parties. Therefore, from the
reactions, the gap years are seemingly more sensible. Ideally,
most people rush to making the transition to higher learning
immediately after high school. Research explains that most of
those who rush are influenced by peer groups, while others are
rushed by their parents or guardians.
On the other hand, some students take time and work for a year
or more than that, as others use the gap to travel. Working and
traveling have merits, although it has demerits too. The
demerits include some of those who get to work immediately
after high school never get back for studies (Stephens et al.,
2012).
Besides, what one does with the gap is what matters most. There
are several advantages for a student to opt for taking time
before attending college. The benefits will make the student not
only an all-rounded person but also an improved student in the
following way.
First, taking a gap will make the learner do better in university.
Student excellence, in this case, will be effective due to many
reasons. For example, the student will take studies more
seriously because they know how the world has to offer;
therefore, one will see the value of being serious with the
education imposed on persons by the community and education's
essentiality. For example, education makes a person be
marketable and uphold the sense of humanity.
Secondly, a student gets time to contemplate. The gap year
provides an opportunity for the learner to realize their
capabilities, passion, and areas of strength. Therefore, the
student gets to know what course they should go for
(Goldenberg, 2013). Many students who rush to colleges and

5. higher learning institutions do not figure out what they like and
what they want to undertake in college. They realize they made
wrong choices when it is too late. Hence, they either go back to
school to enroll in their career courses or stick to that particular
course. This indecisiveness is too costly and time-consuming,
therefore, to avoid it, students should take a break before
joining higher institution learning.
Additionally, making connections is essential in life. When a
student stays out of school for that given period, for various
reasons, his or her social networks enable him to have life-time
friends, unlike the case of those who join universities
immediately after high school. In most cases, school friendship
never lasts; the bond fades up with time after completing
studies. Making friends out of school is not circumstantial, and
it enables a student to have connections while out of school, in
school, and in life after school. Having this kind of friends can
bear good fruits in a student's future, for they can end up being
business partners.
Through traveling and adventure, a student gains experience of
what the world bears. Witnessing what the world can give
through exploration provides proficiency and enough
experience. There is much to discover before a person makes a
transition to university. For instance, paying a visit to new
places can give a student ideas of where their careers can fit,
and at the same time, be able to understand the sense of
humanity.
Moreover, taking a gap before joining the university provides a
platform for a person to do constructive things to build their
career. For example, when someone engages in charity work in
the community, sports and games, and other hobbies. As a
result, they stand a chance to be considered by employers in the
job market. Those are some of the factors considered in
employment qualifications. Volunteering implicates hard work
and commitment to making the world a better place; for
example, cleaning the environment and paying visits to the
needy, and helping them.

6. Furthermore, according to Johan (Johan et al., 2019), a gap year
enhances independence in a person. Everyone yearns for
independence. The exposure one can acquire from utilizing the
gap yea before joining higher learning enables the student to
know how to manage funds and also be able to make plans on
your own. Without this gap, many students take too long to be
independent, especially those who immediately transit to
college. Learning to be independent enhances responsibility
while in college and life after school.
Conclusion
There is plenty that one can learn in a year. In taking a gap after
high school, a student can acquire more life skills, including
learning how to draw, cook, and public communication. A
student can also learn a new language; therefore, there is a need
for the gap year, as discussed above.
References
Goldenberg, C. (2013). Unlocking the Research on English
Learners: What We Know--and Don't Yet Know--about
Effective Instruction. American Educator, 37(2), 4.
Johan, N., Sadler-Smith, E., & Tribe, J. (2019). Informal and
incidental learning in the liminal space of extended independent
(gap-year) travel. Academy of Management Learning &
Education, 18(3), 388-413.
Stephens, N. M., Fryberg, S. A., Markus, H. R., Johnson, C. S.,
& Covarrubias, R. (2012). Unseen disadvantage: How American
universities' focus on independence undermines the academic
performance of first-generation college students: Journal of
personality and social psychology, 102(6), 1178.