ECOLOGICAL THEORY

1. ECOLOGICAL THEORY

2. Macrosystem Political System Exosystem Culture Mesosystem Mass media Educational Values & system Family Microsystem Gender Age School SES Neighbourhood Family, school, peers, workplace, neighbourhood peers Workplace Society Religion Social Welfare Services Overarching Beliefs & Values

3. Four Types of Systems • Microsystem • Mesosystem • Exosystem • Macrosystem

4. 1: Microsystem 2: Macrosystem This layer of the diagram is the connections and links with the factors and values within the microsystem. • This is the first layer of the systems as it is the interactions with direct surroundings and relationship such as: parents, siblings, teachers and peers. These relationships within the micro system impact the individual’s development through the factors of parenting, family upbringing, lifestyle and family structure.

5. 3: Exosystem 4: Macrosystem • The exosystem is the individual’s surroundings and status as they are not directly in control of, but they are aware of any positives or negatives in this area. The individual’s development can impact by this layer. An example of the individual surroundings or status within the exosystem would be the parent’s occupation as their income and working hours plays an important role with the lifestyle of the child. • This is the final layer of the system which are the main structures and values that creates cultures' such as educational values, beliefs , customs and ideologies of culture.

6. Macrosystem Exosystem Mesosystem Microsystem Colida Sixteen and living in South Africa in Khanyayo one of the deprived Villages.

7. Family School Peers Microsystem My mother, Samora and I moved into the village after when my father, Tafari passed away as it has been five years, due to low health standards. Since then my life experiences and development impacted my upbringing for instance my educational status, schooling/peers and employment.

8. Microsystem Mesosystem Employment Completing a primary graduate I was unable to seek employment due to lack of skills and insecurity in our village however neighbourhood support, care and concern enabled me to learn English as a second language. Spiritual support from the neighbour and the local church helped me choose the true cultural values through the path in life. Religion/Church Neighbourhood

9. Neighbours/ Community Extended Family Social Welfare Exosystem Being grown up from a small family having no siblings is difficult. My mother is unable to rely on her family to support myself since they are all victims of violence because of the insecurity within the village. Therefore working long hours was the only option for my mother to survive and support my basic needs. Since being brought up in a deprived village there was a limited access to social welfare centres and system. Although , the South African government established Social Assistance and welfare Act70 on June the 5th 2004 (Justice is Hope 2005) to support people in unprivileged areas, as I have relied on the local church and community in order to obtain support and motivation.

10. Exosystem Exosystem Political System/Economics Macrosystem Society After Nelson Mandela the government could not provide unity across different ethnicities within our country and the violence, drug addiction were consequences of this situation, which is deteriorating day by day with in the country. However the strong cultural beliefs within the society and church has helped me over come these obstacles in my daily life allowing myself to choose the right path in life essentially due to motivation and inspiration. Culture Exosystem