Urie BRONFENBRENNER - Bioecological Systems Theory | How INSTITUTIONS and CULTURE affect Development

Summary

This video script discusses the concept of generational differences in family dynamics and development through the lens of Bronfenbrenner's bioecological systems theory. It explores how contextual factors like biology, environment, and societal changes influence human development across generations. The script delves into the impact of immediate environments, such as family and school, and broader systems like workplace policies and cultural values on family size and attitudes. It also considers the effects of significant historical events, like wars and pandemics, on shaping cultural norms and individual priorities, leading to the observed differences in generational behaviors and attitudes towards family and life choices.

Takeaways

• 👵👴 The script discusses generational differences in family dynamics, noting that grandparents often married and had children at a young age, sometimes as early as 18, and had large families.
• 💍 Parents of the speaker married in their early 20s and had fewer children, usually three to five, compared to previous generations.
• 🏡 The speaker, at 28 years old, is considered late in starting a family and does not yet have children, reflecting a shift in attitudes towards family formation.
• 🌐 The concept of 'context' from Bronfenbrenner's bioecological systems theory is introduced as a key factor influencing human development and the environment.
• 🧬 Biological factors such as genetics and sex are identified as contributors to similarities and differences within a generation.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The immediate environment, particularly family, school, and peers, is highlighted as having a direct influence on an individual's development.
• 🤝 The collaboration between institutions like family and school is emphasized for positive development, referring to this interaction as the microsystem.
• 🏢 The script touches on the exosystem, which includes indirect influences on child development, such as the workplace of parents.
• 🌟 Cultural values and priorities, especially the importance of family in Filipino culture, are discussed as significant factors affecting institutional development and, in turn, personal development.
• ⏳ The chronosystem, representing the influence of time and historical events on culture and development, is introduced to explain generational differences in attitudes and family structures.

Q & A

What is the main factor that causes generational differences according to the script?

The main factor causing generational differences is the context or change in context and environment of a person, as explained by Bronfenbrenner's bioecological systems theory.

Why do people within the same generation have similarities despite their individual differences?

People within the same generation have similarities because of shared biological makeup, age, and cultural influences, despite their individual differences due to factors like family, peers, and personal experiences.

How does the immediate environment influence a person's development?

The immediate environment, which includes family, school, and peers, has a direct influence on a person's development because these institutions interact with the individual, shaping their attitudes and behaviors.

What is meant by the 'microsystem' in the context of human development?

The 'microsystem' refers to the immediate environment or the direct interactions between the developing person and their immediate surroundings, such as family, school, and peers.

What is the role of the 'mesosystem' in a person's development?

The 'mesosystem' refers to the interactions between the various microsystems or institutions that directly influence a person's development, such as the collaboration between family and school.

How does the workplace of parents indirectly affect a child's development?

The workplace of parents can indirectly affect a child's development by influencing the parents' behavior, stress levels, and the amount of time and resources they can devote to their child, which can spill over into the family environment.

What is the 'exosystem' and how does it relate to a person's development?

The 'exosystem' consists of institutions or groups that have an indirect effect on a person's development, such as the workplace of parents, which can influence family dynamics and parenting practices.

How does the 'macrosystem' influence a person's development?

The 'macrosystem' refers to the broader cultural and societal values and norms that can shape the development of institutions and, in turn, affect an individual's development, such as cultural attitudes towards family size and work-life balance.

What is the 'chronosystem' and how does it contribute to generational differences?

The 'chronosystem' is the influence of time or historical events on the development of individuals and society. It contributes to generational differences by affecting societal priorities and cultural values across different time periods.

How has the economic situation influenced family size and attitudes towards family across generations?

Economic situations have influenced family size and attitudes by affecting the resources and opportunities available to individuals. In times of economic prosperity, larger families were more feasible, while economic challenges led to smaller family sizes and different attitudes towards family planning.

What is the assignment given to the viewers at the end of the script?

The assignment given to the viewers is to reflect on how the 2020 pandemic affected the development of people at various stages of life, including children, teenagers, and college students, and to share their thoughts in the comment section.