Bronfernbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory
Uploaded by srheric on Apr 23, 2007
Bronfernbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory
The prevalence of violent crime in North America, including Canada, can be attributed to a deadly combination of cultural values, economic conditions, and biological and environmental factors. These factors are part of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, which explains how the interaction of different parts of an individual’s life can shape and form who they are and how they act (text p7).
Violent crime, specifically homicide, suicide and accidental death by a gun, are more prevalent among young men between the ages of 15 and 35, than by older men or women of any age (text p. 483-484). The combination of Bronfenbrenner’s micro system (family, peer group, etc.), exosystem (community, education, etc.) and perhaps most of all the macro system (cultural values, economics, etc.) can explain why young men are more susceptible to commit and be a victim of violent crime (text p. 483).
Young men are usually brought up in a North American home believing they have to prove themselves as a “man’. The cultural idea of what a “man” should be includes strong, dependable, a protector for the family, etc. This pressure leads many young men to think they need to use their aggressiveness to prove they are a “man”. This could include drive by shootings on rival gangs, fist fights with another young man who resembles an “enemy” to prove their worthiness of the title. These pressures inhibit young men from developing self-restraint, self-respect, and respect for others’ opinions and beliefs (text p. 486). This pressure of the macro system on the micro system explains the never-ending cycle. One man raised by parents influenced by cultural norms, to raise their son to fit the socially constructed form of a man. Then the boy grows up to raise his son(s) in the same socially constructed way, creating violent young men in every generation.
One of the more prominent concerns today is the debate around gun control and its relatedness to violent crime. By comparing Canadian and American statistics the different effects of the micro system (family) and exosystem (community) can be seen. In the United States is more accepted by the family, community, and government for civilians to posses a gun for personal and property protection. The Canadian laws prevent citizens from owning handguns unless they belong to a...