Brofenbrennar’s Ecological Model Brofenbrennar’s Ecological model of human development offers a comprehensive framework to look at the environment of a child in a dynamic social context. Howe, J. (1999) Early childhood, Family and Society (pp 39-40) Katoomba NSW: Social Science Press

Levels of the Ecological model There are four levels to the Ecological model The Microsystem The Mesosystem The Exosystem Macrosystem The Chronosystem is where all the above systems are set

Micro-system Input School Family Church Meso-system Society Culture Community Macro-system Exo-system Chrono-system Jacob Quon Zheng Behaviour Peers Neighbourhood Play Area Health Services Extra curricular activities Extended Family Friends of Family Neighbours Legal Services Social Welfare services Fathers work Mass Media Local government Local Council School Board Local Hospital Culture and Cultural values Nationality and language Religion Government Economy Media Society and Social Policy

Characteristics of Jacob Zheng Name: Jacob Quon Zheng Age: Six years old Gender: Male Religion/Spirituality: Catholic Ethnicity: Australian born Chinese Family Pattern: Mother Father and baby sister Socio-economic Status: High SES

The Microsystem The microsystem is the inner most layer of the Ecological system. It encompasses the child’s immediate personal environment. J, Linden (1998) Understanding Child Development (pp 167) London: Macmillan Press The Microsystem consists of the face to face settings with which children are involved and have direct contact. Bowes, J.& Grace, R (2009) Children Families and Communities (pp 8) (3rd Ed.) Oxford University Press Vic. Aust. Children’s socialisation occurs within this setting J, Linden (1998) Understanding Child Development (pp 167) London: Macmillan Press

Jacob’s Microsystem Family: Father, Mother and younger sister School: St Thomas’s Catholic Primary School Peers: Jacob has numerous friends those from school, his neighbours, his sports mates and his family friends Church: St Thomas’s Catholic Church Neighbourhood play area: Young area and child friendly Health services: Doctor, Dentist, Hospital, Physio Extracurricular Activities: Tennis, Little Athletics, Soccer, Self- defence, Horse-riding and Piano Lessons Pets/Animals: Sammy the golden retriever.

The Mesosystem The Mesosystem refers to the connections and the relationships that exist between two or more Microsystems that influence the child. (K.L, Seifret 1997, pp7)

Jacob’s Mesosystem Home – school: Jacob has a close relationship with his teacher at school, as does his mother who walks Jacob to and from school each day. His parents are actively involved in the school both parents are on the PnF committee. Home – Church: Jacob has a close relationship with his parish priest Father Bob and is currently learning sign language. His family attend church every Sunday and his mother types the parish bulletin. Neighbourhood – School: Jacob lives in a street full of young families in a wealthy northern suburb. He and his family are friendly with all their neighbours and have access to parks, bike tracks, swimming pool and libraries etc. Home – Sporting activities: Jacob is actively involved in various sports. His family accompany him to all his extra curricular activities and his father is the soccer coach.

The Exosystem The Exosystem defines the larger social system in which the child does not function directly. D, Paquette & J, Ryan n.d Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (Electronic version) 2 Retrieved 16 th March 2009 from “The influential environments which affect the child indirectly but in which the child does not directly participate” (Howe, J pp 44)

Jacobs Exosystem Extended Family: Auntie Rachel, Grandparents living in China and the Central coast Friends of Family: The Liu’s, The Jones’, The Fitzpatrick's, The Goldberg’s and the Nader’s Neighbours: The Eearly’s, The Waide’s, The Chudoba’s, The MacMahon’s, Fathers work: Doctor’s surgery located in the home, No weekend work and no appointments after 7pm, emergency home visits on occasion. Mass media: The internet, television and radio

Social welfare services: Community centre, Family Support Service, Neighbour aid, Anglo care, St Vinnies, Salvo’s, Centrelink Legal services: Legal aid, solicitors, accountants, courts, policing Local government: Willoughby City Council Local council: Ku-ring-gai council area School boards: Parents and friends, Soccer club, Parents and friends Local hospital: The Royal North Shore Hospital Jacobs Exosystem

The Macrosystem “The Macrosystem determines the particular patterns which are manifested in the Microsystem, Mesosystem and the Exosystem levels of society.” (Howe, J pp 44) “The effects of the larger principles defined by the Macrosystem have a cascading influence throughout the interactions of all other layers.” The Macrosystem is the outermost layer in the child’s environment. D, Paquette & J, Ryan n.d Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (Electronic version) 2 Retrieved 16th March 2009 from

Jacob’s Macrosystem Nationality: Multi-culturalNationality: Multi-cultural Culture: primary basis of Australian culture has been Anglo-CelticCulture: primary basis of Australian culture has been Anglo-Celtic Cultural values: material comfort, wealth, competition, individualism etc.Cultural values: material comfort, wealth, competition, individualism etc. Language: EnglishLanguage: English Religion: Predominantly CatholicReligion: Predominantly Catholic Education: Education is valuedEducation: Education is valued Government: LabourGovernment: Labour Economy: Laissez-Faire Capitalist economy currently facing a recessionEconomy: Laissez-Faire Capitalist economy currently facing a recession Society: Constitutional democracy based on a federal division of powersSociety: Constitutional democracy based on a federal division of powers Social policy: social policy establishment that defines what ‘social problems’ are and prescribes the policies needed to resolve them.Social policy: social policy establishment that defines what ‘social problems’ are and prescribes the policies needed to resolve them. Media: Global village through use of the internet, television, radio and various other technologiesMedia: Global village through use of the internet, television, radio and various other technologies

The Chronosystem The Chronosystem describes the broad social changes over a child’s life. All other systems operate against the conditions of the Chronosystem. (J, Linden 1998 pp 167) The Chronosystem encompasses the dimension of time as it relates to a child’s environment. Elements within this system can be either external or internal. D, Paquette & J, Ryan n.d Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (Electronic version) 2 Retrieved 16th March 2009 from Broad societal changes and environmental events can affect the development of the child (J, Linden 1998 pp 168)

Jacob’s Chronosystem Horse riding incident: startled horse Father’s absence: Work emergency Implications of head injury and brain trauma: Physical: No longer able to participate in extra curricular activities Cognitive: No longer able to perform tasks as before Schooling: No longer in gifted and talented program no longer able to attend selective school

FAMILY STRUCTURES Of the 5.9 million families in Australia in , 85% (5.0 million) were couple families, 14% (808,000) were one parent families and 1% (81,000) were other families 48.1% of total families in Willoughby were couple families with children compared with 49.3% for the Sydney Statistical Division.Of the 5.9 million families in Australia in , 85% (5.0 million) were couple families, 14% (808,000) were one parent families and 1% (81,000) were other families 48.1% of total families in Willoughby were couple families with children compared with 49.3% for the Sydney Statistical Division. In Willoughby 12.1% were one-parent families, and 15.6% for the Sydney Statistical Division. In Willoughby 12.1% were one-parent families, and 15.6% for the Sydney Statistical Division. For the Sydney Statistical Division there were 168,224 people living in a registered marriage with two dependant childrenFor the Sydney Statistical Division there were 168,224 people living in a registered marriage with two dependant children In Willoughby there were 2936In Willoughby there were 2936  Australian Bureau of Statistics, Marriages, Australia, 2006, (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing, 2006, (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from

Age Structure Analysis of the age structure of the Willoughby City in 2006 compared to the Sydney Statistical Division shows that there was a smaller proportion of people in the younger age groups (0 to 17) Overall, 21.2% of the population was aged between 0 and 17 for Willoughby, and 16.7% for the Sydney Statistical Division. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing, 2006, (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from

Religion Analysis of the religious affiliation of the population of the Willoughby City in 2006 compared to the Sydney Statistical Division shows that there was a smaller proportion of people who professed a religion but a larger proportion who stated they had no religionAnalysis of the religious affiliation of the population of the Willoughby City in 2006 compared to the Sydney Statistical Division shows that there was a smaller proportion of people who professed a religion but a larger proportion who stated they had no religion Overall, 66.7% of the population nominated a religion, and 21.8% said they had no religion, compared with 74.9% and 14.1% respectively for the Sydney Statistical Division.Overall, 66.7% of the population nominated a religion, and 21.8% said they had no religion, compared with 74.9% and 14.1% respectively for the Sydney Statistical Division. The dominant single religion in the Willoughby City was Catholic, with 25.6% of the population or 16,330 people as adherents.The dominant single religion in the Willoughby City was Catholic, with 25.6% of the population or 16,330 people as adherents.  Australian Bureau of Statistics, Religious Affiliations, 2006, (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from

Extra-curricular activities In the 12 months to April 2000, 1.6 million children (59%) participated outside of school hours in sport that had been organised by a school, club or association.In the 12 months to April 2000, 1.6 million children (59%) participated outside of school hours in sport that had been organised by a school, club or association. Not only was the participation rate higher for boys (66%) than girls (52%), the percentage of boys participating in more than one sport was greater (32% compared with 20%).Not only was the participation rate higher for boys (66%) than girls (52%), the percentage of boys participating in more than one sport was greater (32% compared with 20%). Participation in organised sport outside of school hours ranged from a low of 32% for children aged 5 years to a peak of 69% for those aged 11 years.Participation in organised sport outside of school hours ranged from a low of 32% for children aged 5 years to a peak of 69% for those aged 11 years.  Australian Bureau of Statistics, Extra curricular activities, 2006 (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from

SPORTS WITH MOST PARTICIPANTS The sports that attracted most boys were outdoor soccer (with a participation rate for boys of 20%), swimming (13%), Australian Rules football (13%) and outdoor cricket (10%). PARTICIPATION IN MOST POPULAR SPORTS  Australian Bureau of Statistics, Population by Age and Sex, 2006, (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from

LEISURE ACTIVITIES Participation Almost all children (99.8%) participated in at least one of the selected leisure activities outside of school (2,641,500). It is estimated that, within the total population of children aged 5-14 years (2,647,500): 2,601,000 (98%) watched television or videos2,601,000 (98%) watched television or videos 1,981,000 (75%) spent time reading for pleasure1,981,000 (75%) spent time reading for pleasure 1,870,500 (71%) played electronic or computer games1,870,500 (71%) played electronic or computer games 1,644,800 (62%) rode their bike1,644,800 (62%) rode their bike 1,311,200 (50%) participated in art and craft activities1,311,200 (50%) participated in art and craft activities 604,500 (23%) skateboarded or rollerbladed.604,500 (23%) skateboarded or rollerbladed. For boys, the most popular leisure activities were watching television or videos (99% or 1,338,600), playing electronic or computer games (82% or 1,110,800), bike riding (70% or 957,400), reading for pleasure (68% or 919,200), art and craft (39% or 529,800), and skateboarding or rollerblading (28% or 386,400). For girls, the most popular leisure activity was watching television or videos (98% or 1,262,400), followed by reading for pleasure (82% or 1,061,800), art and craft (61% or 781,500), playing electronic or computer games (59% or 759,700), bike riding (53% or 687,400), and skateboarding or rollerblading (17% or 218,200). For boys, the most popular leisure activities were watching television or videos (99% or 1,338,600), playing electronic or computer games (82% or 1,110,800), bike riding (70% or 957,400), reading for pleasure (68% or 919,200), art and craft (39% or 529,800), and skateboarding or rollerblading (28% or 386,400). For girls, the most popular leisure activity was watching television or videos (98% or 1,262,400), followed by reading for pleasure (82% or 1,061,800), art and craft (61% or 781,500), playing electronic or computer games (59% or 759,700), bike riding (53% or 687,400), and skateboarding or rollerblading (17% or 218,200).  Australian Bureau of Statistics, Extra curricular activities, 2006 (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from

Ethnicity and Language The dominant non-English speaking country of birth in the Willoughby City was China, where 5.3% of the population, or 3,356 people, were born.The dominant non-English speaking country of birth in the Willoughby City was China, where 5.3% of the population, or 3,356 people, were born. Overall, 62.6% of the population spoke English only, and 31.2% spoke a non-English language, compared with 63.9% and 29.3% respectively for the Sydney Statistical Division.Overall, 62.6% of the population spoke English only, and 31.2% spoke a non-English language, compared with 63.9% and 29.3% respectively for the Sydney Statistical Division. The dominant language spoken at home, other than English, in the Willoughby City was Cantonese, with 7.6% of the population, or 4,840 people using this language.The dominant language spoken at home, other than English, in the Willoughby City was Cantonese, with 7.6% of the population, or 4,840 people using this language.  Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing, 2006, (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from

Social-economic Status Analysis of individual income levels in the Willoughby City in 2006 compared to the Sydney Statistical Division shows that there was a larger proportion of persons earning a high income (those earning $1,000 per week or more) but a smaller proportion of low income persons (those earning less than $400 per week). Overall, 34.3% of the population earned a high income, and 31.2% earned a low income, compared with 21.7% and 38.1% respectively for the Sydney Statistical Division.  Australian Bureau of Statistics, Proportion of High Income Household 2006, (n.d.) Retrieved 6th March 2009 from