Levels of analysisAccording to Kloos et al. (2011), Ecological Systems Theory takes into account different levels of analysis that individuals encounter, each representing a unique environment that helps shape their behavior. These different levels include the Microlevel, Mesolevel, and Macrolevel, which also interact with each other and influence the development of each. In the context of those in the Foster Care System, Hayes, Julien-Chinn, Geiger and Lietz argue that the environments of young people in Foster Care may be constantly changing and therefore their micro, meso and macro levels of analysis will also become unstable (2016 ). Those in the foster care system are often removed from their homes, so they also lose their family structure, their financial freedom, their support system, etc. They often also change school and therefore change their social life; and less likely to engage in outside organizations or extracurricular activities. On a larger scale, they are also affected by a lack of government/political aid and support which can cause overcrowding and other serious problems in the foster care system. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayThe microsystem is defined as a structure of the most immediate influences in one's life, including family, friends, social roles, and relationships. According to Krinsky, sometimes when children are placed in foster care, not only are they taken away from their biological parents and lose stability, but they may also be taken away from their friends, their extended family members, and even potentially their siblings (2010) . This part of their environment (at their micro level), which has such a huge impact in shaping their behavior, has now become ever-changing for the child. A good example of this can be shown with the parent-child relationship which initially changes from biological parent to adoptive parent, and may also switch again to various other adoptive parents, depending on how many homes the child is placed in. In their qualitative study, Coyne and Luke (2008) reflected on how a foster child's self-esteem might be viewed if the child were placed in a home with a model foster parent rather than a less ideal one. Because children within the foster care system potentially lack a connection to their biological parent and a more fixed parental figure, this can contribute to lower self-esteem and other behavioral problems. The Mesosystem is defined as the secondary influences in an individual's environment such as schools and churches. In Krinsky's (2010) research, he suggests that individuals in foster care are removed from their schools and extracurricular activities; forcing them to engage with new peers due to this sudden change in school systems. The social lives of many youth in foster care change in relation to schools and organizations, as well as their surroundings. This inconsistency can make them feel socially isolated, which can negatively affect their mental health and is unfortunate for these children due to the fact that it is difficult for them to receive adequate medical care once they enter the foster care system. This has a significant influence on their present and future success. Statistically, research has shown that 75% of these children will be retained in school, while only 15% will attend college. Additionally, 25% will become homeless and another 25% will be incarcerated. The macrosystem is defined as the larger ecosystem consisting of cultural influences, as well as social, political, governmental, or impactsinstitutions and belief systems. Henderson (2004) states that the rate of children being placed in foster homes is constantly increasing, and so is the need for available foster homes in which to place them. Unfortunately, there is a lack of foster parent training, social and agency support, and foster parent satisfaction, as well as “limited procedures for assessing the quality of care.” Furthermore, due to the shortage of placements in foster homes, there is overcrowding in many areas. This can often result in mistreatment, neglect, abuse (physical, sexual, or emotional), and lack of supervision. Additionally, there are various special needs that children in foster care may have due to their past trauma, but due to overcrowding these needs often go unmet. This can result in attachment disorders, emotional or behavioral problems and/or developmental deficiencies, etc. When there is a limitation on mental and physical health care options and a lack of parenting skills brought about by the absence of government funding/political policies (the Macro Level), this has detrimental effects on the child's behavior. Principles of the Ecological Metaphor When something in life changes, it sequentially causes other changes in one's environment; this is known as interdependence. Research by Salas, Fuentes, Garcıa-Martın, and Bernedo (2015) indicates that the traumatic events that led a child to end up in foster care are multiplied by the traumas that can often occur after being exposed to different aspects of life, such as how new environments and new authority figures. These changes in the child's atmosphere influence, among other things, his outlook on life, his mentality and his attitudes. This is a series of events that lead to changes in attitude and begin with placement into foster care (thereby acting as a domino effect). According to Kloos et al., (2011), resource cycling refers to the use of one's resources, such as financial resources, personal, social or physical resources dispersed within a community. It is suggested that essential resources within a family-like community include “time, nourishment, attention, emotional support and money”. As previously established, these types of resources for foster youth may be very limited. They do not have access to financial support, sometimes lack peer, social or parental support and do not have access to medical care, as well as educational support. In her research, Ahmann goes a step further and states that even adolescents who age out of foster care are limited in these types of resources, making it extremely difficult for them to lead healthy, successful lives. Adaptation refers to the action of conforming to new customs and ideals in one's natural environment. Children may enter the foster care system for many reasons: loss of parental guidance, lack of family support, abandonment, or forced separation from their biological parents. Whatever the reason, they must learn to adapt to their changing environments. As discussed above, home life, peers, support systems, schools will change; new things may even begin to limit what wasn't before, and they may even have to learn to follow new rules or guidelines. Their entire family dynamics will have transformed. These are the external forces that many foster youth must adapt to. Succession can be defined as being in the present and using the historical achievements of the past to make a plan to improve the future. According to Henderson (2004), there have been many changes in foster care policies due to the.
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