Ecological Map on Avatar

1. Ecological Map on Avatar

2. Profile • Age: 18 • Gender: Male • Background: Born in Papua New Guinea. • Religion: Atheist. • Family Pattern: Only child does not belong to a nuclear family, he lives with his mother. • Criminal Data: Has been found guilty of graffiti vandalism. • Literacy Rates: Poor reading and writing skills. • Health: Obese.

3. Microsystem • Initially his time at school meant there was considerable movement and interaction among Microsystems, such as his mother and his school. Interconnections between family and school, or school and early childhood setting, can have a major impact on the transition to school. It is important to note that since the avatar moved from Papua New Guinea to Australia at such a young age the transition into school was a difficult process thus affecting his literacy and reading skills and also causing him to rebel. • Secondly the divorce of his parents undeniably affected him greatly relating to the idea that children involved in the divorce of their parents; “fear change, fear abandonment and they lose attachment whilst coping with parental tension”. This combination of fear and loss has a negative effect on the avatar therefore affecting the influence that each system has on him.

4. Mesosystem • When the Microsystems come together, Bronfenbrenner described a mesosystem (Fabian & Dunlop 2002); “The interrelationships fostered in such mesosystems are dynamic and changing”. The mesosystem are often referred to the “strings” that link concepts in the microsystem. In regards to the avatar, there are some obstacles which affect the strings working at their potential. Due to the fact that he moved to Australia from Papua New Guinea the avatar does not have a strong relationship with his extended family. Another factor restraining the mesosystem is the relationship the mother has with the avatar’s school. Due to the fact that she does not speak English well, communication about the avatar’s performance and any problems cannot be discussed thoroughly placing a strain between the two institutions; home and school.

5. Exosystem • Exosystems include settings that may not necessarily involve children, but settings that nevertheless have an impact upon children. In regards to this situation the avatar’s neighbourhood, the community and his mother’s workplace may indirectly affect his life and other systems also. Workplace decisions have an impact on the nature and type of care young children experience and this can be identified in the situation of the avatar. The mother of the avatar found it hard to organise some time off work therefore missing her son’s introduction to school affecting the majority of systems since she is unaware of the his gradual progression throughout his school life.

6. Macrosystem • The macrosystem“incorporates overarching beliefs, values and ideologies which are essentially wider influences that are attributable to culture”.Overall, it is this system which fundamentally influences the avatar since it is what binds him to society at large. It can be said that the concept of health (which is a key player in the macro world) is significant to the avatars life. Since the avatar is noted as being “obese”, it is vital that he is well informed and educated through the other systems, such as home and school, of how detrimental the effects of obesity are. Moreover, the law is also a crucial factor which has influenced the avatars life evidenced by the fact that he has been found guilty of graffiti vandalism. Thus, the mesosystem and the exosystem come into effect here, as it through these systems that he can learn right from wrong and good moral behaviour either from his peers, his community or his teachers.

7. Macrosystem • Exosystem • Mesosystem • Microsystem *Papua New Guinea * Friends * Mum * major impact on the transition to school

8. Macrosystem • Exosystem • Mesosystem *Extended family- LACKS *Teachers * Friends *Microsystems come together *“strings” • Microsystem

9. Macrosystem • Exosystem *Mothers workplace *Neighbourhood • Mesosystem *Community *Not necessarily involve children * impact upon children • Microsystem

10. *Society’s expectations *Religion • Macrosystem • Exosystem *Health *Politics *Society’s views * Law *Government • Mesosystem • Microsystem

11. Society’s Expectations Society’s views Religion • Macrosystem • Exosystem Health Government Politics Mothers workplace Law Neighbourhood • Mesosystem Not necessarily involve children Community Teachers “Strings” Friends • Microsystem Childhood settings Mum Friends