The Ecological Systems Theory Depicted in the Film
As a child grows, it interacts with certain environmental factors that are also bound to affect its development. According to Guy-Evans, (2020), the ecological systems theory was evolved by Bronfenbrenner in 1977 and it mentions that five systems make up the theory. The systems are interrelated; however, they have different impacts on the growth of a child. The system comprises the first level the microsystem, followed by the mesosystem, the exosystem, the macrosystem, and finally the last level which is the chronosystem (Elliot & Davis, 2020). In the film “Two American Families” as narrated by Bill Moyers, Keith Stanley is the first-born son of Stanley’s family. He portrays the five factors that influence his development based on the family and environment he grows up in.
At the microsystem level, Keith grows up in a religious family where his dad preaches in their storefront church, and from this, he acquires resilience, empathy, and respect values that he upholds. In the Mesosystem, Keith wants to help his parents raise some income, so he teams up with his brothers to set up the Three Sons Lawn Care Service (Frontline NBS, 2013). In the exosystem layer, Keith reaches an academic milestone and becomes the first in the family to graduate high school and joins Alabama State University. He is also influenced by his parents’ economic situation and vows to look for money. In the macrosystem, Keith admits that his mother who is a real estate agent does not earn that much commission as she is African American. Keith’s parents have a stronger bond as a couple despite the financial challenges and this positively influences the kid’s life. In the chronosystem layer, the economic crisis characterized by high unemployment and inflation levels leads to the Stanleys losing their jobs and Keith being directly affected by the loss of school fees.
Change in Family Dynamics for the Stanley and the Neumann Families
For the Stanley family, over time as the financial constraints affected the family, Claude and Jackie held on to each other. In the film, ‘Two American Families, Claude Stanley says, “But we look on each other for our strength. You know some days, she got bad days. Some days, I have bad days……We try to find a way to make ends meet” (Frontline NBS, 2013). This shows that the Stanleys are united despite the economic situation that befalls them now and then. Stanley’s neighbors also view them as a perfect family that stays together. However, the same cannot be said for the Neumann family as, as tough times hit hard, Tony and Terry draw apart more. The Neumann couple is shown to have a strained relationship as Tony and Terry drift apart and are no longer sleeping together. Later in the film, the Neumann couple separates due to the progressing economic situation.
Factors that Helped the Stanley and Neumann Family Overcome their Challenges
Despite the tough economic times experienced by both families, each had a protective factor that helped build resilience through the time. For the Stanleys, unity and hope kept the family thriving. Through unity, the family stuck together as evidenced by an onlooker who saw them shoveling snow and said, “We see you together all the time” (Frontline NBS, 2013). Jackie Stanley also mentions that they are often referred to as the Beaver family. The fact the Stanley family is also religious shows that they remained hopeful that God was going to provide for their needs. For the Neumann, it is the need to provide for their children and promise an influx of job opportunities that led them into searching for jobs that gave more benefits and a higher pay per hour.
National Event that Changed the Families’ Circumstances
The Recession period that happened in 1991 changed the economic situation for the worse. During this period, according to Bill Moyers, the non-union jobs were greatly sorted after but provided low income and minimal benefits such as health insurance (Frontline NBS, 2013). There were few job opportunities with those available paying low wages either full-time or part-time with just little bonuses and incentives. This period saw the two families’ breadwinners getting laid off from work and struggling to search for better jobs or any job that ensured they would save some money to pay off their mortgage, school fees, dress, and pay health insurance. In the world today, this period is not different from what is currently being experienced as the high inflation rate has led to high unemployment rates, high costs of living, and difficulty in funding one’s lifestyle.
Yosso’s Concept of Cultural Wealth
The cultural wealth concept highlights the viewpoint that communities of color face discrimination despite some of the people from these communities having unrecognized efforts. According to Yosso, people from communities of color may have excelled in various fields, however, their cultural background limits their full self-actualization (2005). In the film, Jackie Stanley attempts to pass her real estate license examinations ten times, despite her efforts, she faces discrimination as she is of African American descent. She attempts to sell houses but does not sell much due to the racial barrier.
References
Elliott, S., & Davis, J. M. (2020). Challenging taken-for-granted ideas in early childhood education: A critique of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory in the age of post-humanism. Research handbook on Childhoodnature: Assemblages of childhood and nature research, 1119-1154. Web.
Guy-Evans, O. (2020). Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. Web.
Frontline NBS. (2013). Two American Families [Video]. Web.
Yosso, T. J. (2005). Whose Culture has Capital? A Critical Race Theory Discussion of Community Cultural Wealth. In Critical Race Theory in Education (pp. 113-136). Routledge. Web.