The ecological model described above could also apply to adults like Jan. Bronfenbrenner was
mostly concerned with an individual’s position in the wider ecological system and how the
external influences affected the capacity of caregivers to foster the healthy development of
children. For example, as already stated, the microsystem related to the home or family
environment with the mesosystem linking the different microsystems. Jan left her job
(exosystem) to be with Sam on a full-time basis. This enabled her to give Sam the parental
attention he needed. Jan’s action resulted in loss of income for the family. Tony, Jan’s husband
compensated for the loss by working long hours and was unavailable for either child care or the
family. When the new baby arrived Jan had no support for child care. Her elderly mother,
Dorothy needed support too. Jan became overworked and stressed. The examples demonstrate the
impact of the exosystem and the microsystem on Jan. It also showed the impact of socioeconomic
factors on Jan’s wellbeing. Similarly, when Sam started school, reports of his antisocial
behaviour reached home. This is an example of interaction between school and home
represented by the mesosystem. Such interactions may help shape Sam’s behaviour through
collaboration between the two systems and contribute towards Sam’s social development.
Jan sought help on childcare from the social worker and the health visitor, parts of the
microsystem. Jan’s knowledge of the existence of such support services was beneficial in the
development of her children. Empowering Jan with information on services in the community
was anti-discriminatory practice. The birth of a new baby was a change that had an impact on
family life and that of individuals in it. Sam no longer had exclusive access to his mother and he
felt isolated. Jan was overloaded with childcare responsibilities. The changes had an impact on
Jan and family life. An understanding of the interactions between the environment and people
will enable social workers to work with other agencies to assess and implement holistic
interventions (DCSF, 2010; Wise, 2003). Families can benefit from national policies in bringing
up their children.