Question

Researchers like Bronfenbrenner pointed to the role of lack of mothering i.e. tender and affectionate care, producing long-term deficits in children raised in institutions like orphanages. He concluded that children are most vulnerable to long term negative effects of institutionalisation in the first six months of life. The risk decreases with children who are admitted into orphanages at older ages. Moving to a more developmentally supportive environment, reduces the negative effects of institutionalization.

1. According to Bronfenbrenner, explain two ecological systems that young children brought up in an orphanage are deprived of.    [2]
2. Based on the study as stated above, discuss any two points to highlight the importance of understanding lifespan development.    [2]

Answer 1

1. Importance of lifespan development
   • Microsystem: The microsystem is the child’s immediate environment (home, family, school, peers). Children in orphanages miss close personal relationships with parents, family members and carers, which are essential for emotional and psychological growth.
   • Mesosystem: The mesosystem refers to the connections between different microsystems, such as home–school or family–peer group linkages. Orphanage children lack these linkages because their life revolves only around the institution, preventing interaction between different environments.
2. Importance of lifespan development
   • It is a study of processes of development that enables one to know what to expect of the child at every age and to know what form of behaviour will emerge at what age.
   • It enables the assessment of a child in terms of age-appropriate developmental milestones.
   • It also helps the carers of the child provide an appropriate environment in which the child can acquire and improve skills and abilities necessary to deal with its world.
   • Knowing the pattern of development enables parents and teachers to guide the child's learning at appropriate times and prepare the children ahead of time for changes that will take place in their bodies, their interests, or their behaviour.
   • Various interventions and treatments can be sought if people have a better insight into the normal lifespan development of a person.