A family ecological approach emphasizes the fundamental.

interdependence of human systems

with one another and with the environment. Humans exist as part of a total life system sustained
by mutually interdependent transactions with other systems and the environment. Or The
Environments of a Family Ecology. A basic ecological premise stresses that development is
affected by the setting or environment in which it occurs. The interactions within and between
the different environments of a family make up the "ecology" of the family and are key elements
of an ecological perspective. Therefore this set of paper will discuss the family ecology.

Major Theorist- Plato, Aristotle- thinkers, observed population vs structure and stability of
Environment (aprox 360 BC) Ernest Haeckel- coined the term "oekologie" or Ecology 1873

Elen Swallow Richards- Adopted the term Ecology for the home resulting in the term Home
Economics (1892) Hook & Paolucci- Defined the Family as an Ecosystem 1970
Urie Bronfenbrenner- Ecological Systems Theory 1979 (Bubolz) Family Ecology Theory.
Reluctant to use the term ecology due to it being claimed by biology, the field of home
economics was created

family ecology is that a family is a distinct closely related social group that interacts with their
environment to form an ecosystem. Families carry out the following for the good of itself as well
as the good of society: biological sustenance (have children and look after each other), economic
maintenance (share resources), psychosocial nurturing (provide empathy and emotional support).
Families and the environment are interdependent and they interact with multiple environments -
typically each adult member inhabits a different physical/social environment.

Adaptation is a continuing process in families. They can “respond, change, develop, and act on
and modify their environment.” Interactions between families and environments are guided by
two sets of rules: Physical and biological laws of nature and human-derived rules (e.g., social
/cultural norms). Our physical environments do not determine our behavior but pose limitations
and constraints as well as possibilities and opportunities. Decision making is the central control
process that directs our actions for attaining individual and family goals. Families are underlain
and held together through shared values including its survival: maintenance and sustainability are
important features of life and the “four great virtues that contribute to the ‘ultimate good’”:
economic adequacy, justice, freedom and peacefulness.

1
Other virtues that contribute to the quality of family life include: health, education and learning,
loving and nurturing relationships, productive work and work environments, experiences and
symbolic systems that sustain meaning and a sense of community, beauty and trustworthiness.

In a family ecology there are some systems which are involved such as,

Microsystem: Refers to the institutions and groups that most immediately and directly impact the
child's development including: family, school, religious institutions, neighborhood, and peers

Mesosystem: Consists of interconnections between the microsystems, for example between the

family and teachers or between the child’s peers and the family.

Exosystem: Involves links between social settings that do not involve the child. For example, a
child's experience at home may be influenced by their parent's experiences at work. A parent
might receive a promotion that requires more travel, which in turn increases conflict with the
other parent resulting in changes in their patterns of interaction with the child.

Macrosystem: Describes the overarching culture that influences the developing child, as well as
the microsystems and mesosystems embedded in those cultures. Cultural contexts can differ
based on geographic location, socioeconomic status, poverty, and ethnicity. Members of a
cultural group often share a common identity, heritage, and values. Macrosystems evolve across
time and from generation to generation.

Chronosystem: Consists of the pattern of environmental events and transitions over the life
course, as well as changing socio-historical circumstances. For example, researchers have found
that the negative effects of divorce on children often peak in the first year after the divorce. By
two years after the divorce, family interaction is less chaotic and more stable. An example of
changing sociohistorical circumstances is the increase in opportunities for women to pursue a
career during the last thirty years.

Some of the theories under family ecology are, Social ecological theory suggests that children
develop within a multi-layered “ecosystem” that naturally supports their ability to bond and
develop. Numerous studies indicate that when social ecology zones are disturbed, children begin
to exhibit stress and behavioral variance that compensates for or exaggerates their condition.

2
The theory states that children bond first and most importantly with the parents, especially a
primary caregiver, then with the family unit. This ecology is extended into the school and local
social environments, and out into work and wider social settings as children reach adulthood.
Central to this theory is the use of relationships to create accountability structures. FAST® is
designed to support parents’ role as family leaders, create relationships within and between
families, and build social capital between families, schools and the community.

Family stress theory defines and explores the periodic, acute stressors that happen to all families.
When these stressors become frequent or if the individual or family lacks the support of
significant relationships, this build-up can lead to personal and family crises, including physical,
emotional, or relational trauma. Such family crises may include episodes of domestic violence,
recurring or chronic substance abuse, illness from weakened immune systems, divorce,
accidents, child abuse/neglect, etc. In the context of these stressors, research suggests that the
maintenance or disruption of daily routines is one of the most significant factors affecting
children’s sense of security. These routines include personal and shared schedules, habits, rituals,
and repetitious environmental stimuli.

The impact of erratic personal activities and the lack of consistent behavior patterns can be
muted or buffered with protective factors such as perceptions and social relationships. These
positive factors help families to cope, so parents can continue to nurture their children despite
chronic and acute stressors. FAST helps families manage stresses by introducing rituals designed
to strengthen bonds within and between families. In addition, FAST fosters the development of
supportive relationships that provide a social “safety net” for stressed families. (Hill, McCubbin,
Garbarino & Abramowitz, 1982).

Family systems theory establishes a series of natural interactions within and between families
that builds cohesion and stability. Many researchers have demonstrated that certain positive
actions in everyday lives can help support thriving children. These activities and norms become
buffers and resiliency factors for stresses that can cause insecurity and sudden instability.

The activities of well-functioning family systems include: Parental authority, Parental

empowerment, Parental service to child, Child service to parents, Experiential communication,
Experiential habit forming and play and nonverbal communication. These building blocks are
used extensively in the FAST® Program, which focuses on experiential learning. Every FAST

3
Session provides many opportunities for parents to learn and practice positive behaviors that help
to establish healthy new relational patterns within families.

In conclusion, the family ecology states that children bond first and most importantly with the
parents, especially a primary caregiver, then with the family unit. This ecology is extended into
the school and local social environments, and out into work and wider social settings as children
reach adulthood