Ecological System
The Social ecological model is a simplified representation of our diverse and interconnected lives. It is a way to understand how every aspect of our lives is affected by social environmental influences. In a way, the social ecological model reveals how we become the people we are now. The constant interaction between micro-, meso-, exo- , and macro-systems directly and indirectly influence how we decide to act and live our lives. In this blog I will share my personal ecological model and how it has influenced my life to make me the person I am today.
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My Microsystem
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My Microsystem
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My family is the most important microsystem that I believe has influenced me throughout my life. I come from a family of seven. I have five siblings including myself; three sisters and a brother. What makes us unique is that we are all adopted. My parents are the most important people in my life, because they are the ones that gave me everything that I have now. I keep in touch with them a lot out here in college, but it can be hard when there is so much going on.
My friends are the next most important microsystem that has influenced me. The social interaction with each and every one of my friends and peers introduced new perspectives into my life. I have friends across the entire spectrum of personalities. I have friends in Greek life, friends who go to the gym all the time, friends who rage and rave (party), and friends who enjoy the quieter side of life. All of my friends have influenced me through the peer cluster effect, and the result is the person that I am today. I'm an outgoing yet quiet person, and I am always interested in trying new things. And at times, all I want to do is go for a walk in the woods and enjoy the nature around me. I acquired all of these characteristics through my interactions with people from all different types of backgrounds.
My friends are the next most important microsystem that has influenced me. The social interaction with each and every one of my friends and peers introduced new perspectives into my life. I have friends across the entire spectrum of personalities. I have friends in Greek life, friends who go to the gym all the time, friends who rage and rave (party), and friends who enjoy the quieter side of life. All of my friends have influenced me through the peer cluster effect, and the result is the person that I am today. I'm an outgoing yet quiet person, and I am always interested in trying new things. And at times, all I want to do is go for a walk in the woods and enjoy the nature around me. I acquired all of these characteristics through my interactions with people from all different types of backgrounds.
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My Mesosystem
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My Mesosystem
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Prior to leaving Hawaii for college, my most important mesosytem that affected me was between the relationship of my dad and my mom. Since they are separated, they are two different microsystems in my life that indirectly interact with each other. Individually, I love them both endlessly. But when I have to interact with both of them together, it is extremely frustrating. Whenever I come home from college, the first thing I want to do is relax, but I'm immediately faced with having to tell which parent I want to pick me up from the airport, and how I am going to spend my time with each of them throughout my vacation. It can be a lot to handle, but I know that it is only because they love me.
Right now, as a University of Oregon student, my mesosystem is largely influenced by the interaction of my friends and the college community. Celebrating with friends after finishing exams and creating memorable experiences with them is what defines the majority of my mesosystem as a college student now. While I have been cutting back on going out in order to stay in shape to tryout for sports here at the University, I still go out just to socialize and be with my friends, and interact with other people in the college community.
Right now, as a University of Oregon student, my mesosystem is largely influenced by the interaction of my friends and the college community. Celebrating with friends after finishing exams and creating memorable experiences with them is what defines the majority of my mesosystem as a college student now. While I have been cutting back on going out in order to stay in shape to tryout for sports here at the University, I still go out just to socialize and be with my friends, and interact with other people in the college community.
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My Exosystem
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My Exosystem
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Growing up, I lived in a lower to middle class neighborhood. My best childhood friend lived a few houses down and he was raised with good morals and came from one of the few middle-upper class families in the neighborhood. We hung out every day; in school and after school. There were some kids who my mom referred to as "Ruffians," because they were the daredevil kids who wrestled and were generally naughty. Despite my mom's warnings, I hung out with them a fair amount too, and I got to experience a bit of both worlds. I grew up in a pretty healthy environment; I had good health care, was always well fed, and went to a good elementary school and an average high school. My hometown community was full of friendly people and wherever I went I knew that I would be safe. However, the economy was tough on my family, and that forced me to mature a lot quicker than other peers of my age.
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My Macrosystem
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My Macrosystem
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Growing up in America was a blessing to begin with. Our society is modern and humane, and there aren't many countries out there that can say the same. The social blueprint of America is great for me. I'm tall, strong, and male, and that is typically what the social blueprint of America stereotypes as the ideal man. I feel safe wherever I go in this environment, and I know that there are numerous opportunities for me to find happiness. I have little to no complaints about my macrosystem; while I wish that the economy had fortuned my family better, there's nothing that I can do now except to try and make a life for myself and my family through a college education.