I find the Ecological Systems Theory to be the most attractive in investigating child development. The theory uses various social systems that revolve around the child to examine their influences. The most immediate system is the microsystem, consisting of family, school, and peers. This is embedded in the mesosystem, which measures the microsystem's interactions. In turn, the mesosystem is embedded in the exosystem, which consists of the media, government agencies, extended family and neighbors. Next out is the macrosystem- the norms, beliefs, and attitudes of the culture. Finally, the chronosystem measures environmental changes that affect development over a long period of time, such as moving to a new home or divorce.
An example from my son's life is how is he learning about the world from books and television programs. (He is only two, so not in school yet). These media platforms are part of the exosystem because he does not participate in them directly- only the microsystem allows that. The macrosystem affects him because we, his parents, are conditioned by society's values and norms. He is therefore learning how to be a member of society through our connection to it. I don't think he is old enough to experience the chronosystem yet, but I am. My parents were divorced long ago, and I have moved several times. I have gotten married and had a child. All these events sharpened my maturity over time.
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