Hi, my name is Marlou.

Age: 5 years of age

Gender: Male

Family demographics (family structure-parents): Sole Parent family; mother

Family demographics (family structure-siblings): Mowana; two month old sibling

Nationality: Aboriginal

Health Status: disability-partial hearing impairment

Location (area where avatar lives): outer regional area of New South Wales (western suburbs)

Care patterns: Marlou attends a formal form of child care once a week, with his mother and grandparents caring for him every other day

Socio-economic status: Marlou’s family has a low socio-economic status as his mother is a sole parent, currently unemployed and permanently caring for Marlou and his 2 month old baby sister.

Language spoken: English

Parental employment status: mother unemployed

Appearance: +Eye colour-dark brown+Skin colour- dark+Hair colour- dark brown

Behavioral and emotional difficulties: difficulty in communicating in social environment as Marlou has little social interaction with children thus impacting his emotional well-being as he is unable to create relationships and bonds with his peers etc. He also suffers behavioural issues as he is finding it difficult to adjust to the needs of his two month old sibling including her need for constant care and nurturing from his mother.

List of Characteristics and Traits

Characteristics and Traits of Avatar (Marlou)

Characteristics and Traits of the general Australian population

•Family demographics (family structure-parents)

•Sole parent family •According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2006 the number of sole-parent families with children under 15 years accounted for approximately 1/5 of all families with children within that age bracket. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008)

•Family demographics (family structure- siblings)

•Two month old sibling (Mowana)

•According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2003 families with children made up 60% of all families...Of all families with children, 79% had dependent children, while 21% had non-dependent children only.•In 2003, there were 2.5 million families with at least one child aged 0-17 years (45% of all families). Of these families, 78% were couple families and 22% were one parent families.(Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008)

•Health status •Disability- hearing impairment

The prevalence of ear/hearing problems, including total/partial hearing loss and otistis media (middle ear infection), was three times higher among Indigenous than non-indigenous children. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006)

List of Characteristics and Traits

Characteristics and Traits of Avatar (Marlou)

Characteristics and Traits of the general Australian population

Care patterns Once a week Marlou attends childcare, whereas for the rest of the week he is cared for by his mother and his grandparents

According to the Bureau of Statistics in 2002 grandparents provided around one-third (31%) of the total hours of child care. A further 37% was provided by formal care (24% by long day care); and 32% by other informal care (mainly by the child’s non-resident parent- 15%). (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006)

Nationality Aboriginal According to the Bureau of Statistics at 30th June 2006, the preliminary estimated resident population of Indigenous Australians was 2.5% of the total population. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008)

Location (area where avatar lives)

Outer regional area of New South Wales (western suburbs)

According to the Bureau of Statistics at 30 June 2006 6.5% of the Australian population was living in the outer regional areas of NSW, with majority living in major cities (72.6%) (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008)

Behavioural and emotional difficulties

Marlou has difficulty in expressing his emotions and communicating in the social environment at childcare as besides his day a week at childcare, he receives little social interaction with children. This impacts his emotional well-being as he is unable to express his emotions of excitement whilst adventuring with other children etc. He also suffers behavioural issues as he is finding it difficult to adjust to the needs of his two month old sibling including her need for constant care and nurturing from his mother.

According to the Bureau of Statistics approximately 24% of Indigenous children aged 4-17 year…as being at high risk of clinically significant emotional or behavioral difficulties, compared with 15% of other children (Zubrick et al. 2005). Indigenous boys were twice as likely as Indigenous girls to be at high risk of clinically significant emotional or behavioural difficulties…’ (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2005)

List of Characteristics and Traits

Characteristics and Traits of Avatar (Marlou)

Characteristics and Traits of the general Australian population

Parental employment patters

Marlou’s mother is currently unemployed as she has a full time duty in caring for Marlou and his two month old sibling

According to the Bureau of Statistics on average in 2004, a higher proportion of partnered mothers with children under 15 years were employed than lone mothers with children under 15years (60% compared with 46%). This may reflect greater difficulty for lone mothers managing their caring and income earning roles. In 2003–04, government pensions and allowances were the principal source of income for 61% of one-parent families(Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006)

“Bronfenbrenner envisioned the environment as a series of nested structures…in which children spend their everyday lives. Each layer of the environment is viewed as having a powerful impact on development.” (Berk, L.E. (2008). Infants and Children: Prenatal Through Middle Childhood, Sixth edition. United States of America: Pearson Education, Inc.)

BRONFENBRENNER’S SOCIAL ECOLOGY MODEL

THE INDIVIDUAL

EXOSYSTEM

CHRONOSYSTEM

MACROSYSTEMMICROSYSTEM

MESOSYSTEM

THE INDIVIDUAL

Age: 5 years of age

Gender: Male

Parental employment status: mother unemployed

Family demographics (family structure-parents): Sole Parent family; mother

Socio-economic status: Marlou’s family has a low socio-economic status as his mother is a sole parent, currently unemployed and permanently caring for Marlou and his 2 month old baby sister.

Behavioral and emotional difficulties: difficulty in communicating in social environment as Marlou has little social interaction with children thus impacting his emotional well-being as he is unable to express his emotions of excitement whilst adventuring with other children etc. He also suffers behavioural issues as he is finding it difficult to adjust to the needs of his two month old sibling including her need for constant care and nurturing from his mother.

Care patterns: Marlou attends child care once a week, with his mother caring for him every other day

Location (area where avatar lives): outer regional area of New South Wales (western suburbs)

Nationality: Aboriginal

Health Status: disability-partial hearing impairment

Appearance: +Eye colour-dark brown+Skin colour- dark+Hair colour- dark brown

Family demographics (family structure-siblings): Mowana; two month old sibling

MICROSYSTEM‘the innermost level of the environment, consisting of activities and interaction patterns in the child’s immediate surroundings.’ (Berk, L.E. (2008). Infants and Children: Prenatal Through Middle Childhood, Sixth edition. United States of America: Pearson Education, Inc.)

MOTHER-TALIAMarlou’s mother is currently unemployed as she had to leave her job 3months ago to give birth to her daughter. This placed financial strain on the family as change was forced upon them relying on a full-time income of their father and a part-time income of their mother to now solely relying on financial support from the government.

Marlou’s mother is a kind and caring mother to her two children, providing them with love and nurture. She tries to balance her time with caring for her Mowana, fulfilling her role of cooking and cleaning for the family as well as nurturing the developmental needs of Marlou. Talia takes Marlou to the neighbourhood area whenever she gets a chance so that he is able to experience a different environment as she does not have the time or finance to constantly allow him to experience different environments.

She tries to play games with him whenever possible to keep him entertained and to allow his experiences as a child with the absences of a large number of toys, books and necessary objects in which children engage with.

IMMEDIATE FAMILY

Marlou lives with his mother Talia and two month old baby sister Mowana. 8 months ago Marlou’s father passed away in a horrific car accident leaving his mother; 3months pregnant and Marlou. The death of his father was unplanned and therefore presented Marlou’s mother with financial implications. Marlou’s mother has spent the last 6 months adjusting their family’s lifestyle to their circumstance.

+2 month old baby Mowana. Mowana’s birth has uncontrollably presented strains on Marlou’s development the passed 2 months. A new born baby needs care and nurture from its mother and is heavily reliant on constant care. As Marlou’s mother is constantly caring for the baby’s needs, it has caused Marlou to develop a sense of rivalry and resentment for both his mother and the baby. It has impacted on his behaviour and his emotions as he has developed an idea that by misbehaving and constantly crying he is able to receive his mother’s attention.

Local doctor: as Marlou suffers from a hearing impairment he is required to make continuous visits to his hearing specialist to monitor his condition. Marlou visits the hearing specialist once a month as his hearing impairment is only mild however the doctors are aiming to prevent it from deteriorating especially because he is at such a young age.

HEALTH SERIVICES

Malrou attends his local childcare once a week. His social interactions with other children are very limited as his mother can only afford to send him to childcare once a week due to the family’s financial situation Although the neighbourhood consists of majority

adults, there is a play area consisting of a swing set, a play maze and a small field. As Marlou’s mother has been able to get to know the neighbours within the community, she feels a sense of safety and therefore takes Marlou there to play almost three times a week. This positively impacts Marlou’s physical well-being as he is able to explore his surrounding environment. However due to the demographics of the neighbourhood he is unable to form connections with young children as there is only a small proportion of the neighbour hood population that are children thus he is limited to social and physical interaction with adults and those that are, are placed in some form of childcare majority of the week. Despite this, Marlou’s development is positively impacted as he is able to express himself through his imagination and engaging in the outdoor environment.

MICROSYSTEM CONTINUED

LOCAL CHILDCARE SYSTEM

NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAY AREA

GRANDPARENTS

As Marlou only attends childcare once a week his social interactions are limited. Whilst the other children form bonds and relationships; growing and developing, Marlou is unable to create similar bonds. Marlou feels excluded from his peers in activities as he is distant from them physically (as he is only there once a week) and also socially. He is not receiving the adequate level of socialisation that a child at 5 years of age should be experiencing. This absence of development of socialisation at such a young age may have a longer lasting negative implication on Marlou in the near future as he struggles to communicate with others outside of his family. Marlou is unable to develop the full potential of necessary skills such as sharing, listening to others and the skills of cooperation (Bowes, J.M. (2009). Children, Families and Communitites; Contexts & Consequences (3rd edn). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.)

PEERS

Marlou spends time with his grandparents whilst they assist his mother in caring for him

MESOSYSTEM‘encompasses connections between children’s immediate settings. Examples of these include home, school, neighbourhood and child-care centre.’ (Berk, L.E. (2008). Infants and Children: Prenatal Through Middle Childhood, Sixth edition. United States of America: Pearson Education, Inc.)

The shared values which exist between a child’s family values and the values of their surrounding community are an example of the interrelated context of the Mesosystem. A family that values respect for their elders, and that have particular cultural customs and traditions are able to strengthen these values if they are surrounded by an environment that share and uphold similar values.

Marlou’s family stems from an Aboriginal background, therefore full of rich customs and beliefs. The community in which Marlou’s family live has numerous Aboriginal community members. This encourages the practice of the shared beliefs of his family and the community. It allows Marlou to develop a strong sense of identity in knowing what cultural background his family came from through the community efforts of elders who are able to pass on customs and rituals.

THE SHARED VALUES BETWEEN MARLOU’S HOME ENVIRONMENT AND HIS COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT

EXOSYSTEM-‘social settings that do not contain children but that affect children’s experiences in immediate settings.’ (Berk, L.E. (2008). Infants and Children: Prenatal Through Middle Childhood, Sixth edition. United States of America: Pearson Education, Inc.)

-Marlou’s mother was forced to resign from her part-time employment 3 months ago following her preparation to give birth. As a sole parent family this has presented financial strain resulting in the family becoming completely reliant on government agencies, which offer benefits such as financial assistance. Marlou’s mother has been forced to reduce Marlou’s attendance at childcare to once a week as the family has become reliant on government payments such as the Social Security Act (1991) Parenting Payment, in order for the family to survive day-to-day living. Marlou’s family receives government assistance in the form of financial assistance. This positively influences Marlou as in his families’ situation of financial difficulties, with the assistance of government agencies he is able to attend a form of childcare experience. With the financial assistance presented his mother is able to provide nutritious meals, adequate housing, and is able to provide him with a small variety of toys and books to enhance his learning. It also provides the financial assistance that Marlou needs to cater for his hearing impairment needs

Government agencies Parents social networks

parents friends and extended family who will provide advice, companionship and even financial assistance.

Community interests

the neighbourhood in which Marlou’s home is located is well looked after by its local government and there is a strong sense of community unity.The community in which Marlou lives in is an Aboriginal community. This allows Marlou to continue to develop and learn about the customs and beliefs of his cultural background through the knowledge and wisdom passed on by the older members of the community.

EXOSYSTEM CONTINUED

The neighbourhood in which Marlou lives is in the outer regional area of Sydney. Marlou and his family moved to this area about 6 months ago following the death of his father. The community within the area has a close relationship thus positively impacted Marlou physically and emotionally. Marlou’s family has developed a close relationship within the community meaning their family has become a valued members included in the events that take place in the community. Because of the situation of Marlou’s family, the neighbours in the community have recently come together and held a fundraiser where donations were made to Marlou’s family. Over $10,000 was raised for Marlou’s family. This has meant they have received emotional support, as well as physical support such as financial aid. By holding the fundraiser Marlou’s mother was presented with stability in which she had lost when her husband had died. By providing the family with support Marlou was able to receive adequate resources and facilities in the home. His mother was able to purchase him a small variety of new toys, books to enhancing his language skills etc which have stimulated his development through encouragement such as learning to read and imagination. His mother was also able to purchase nutritious food and appropriate clothing for the family which have increased the nature and nurture of the family improving Marlou’s upbringing. Marlou’s mother has been able to feel a sense of safety within the neighbourhood thus positively impacting her socio-emotional well-being thus creating a smoother and more relaxed environment within Marlou’s home environment.

Friends and neighbours

Marlous’s family share cultural beliefs and values that engage him within the community and ultimately the society. He is able to physically and socially interact within society as an active member within the community sharing and practicing these values.

MACROSYSTEM ‘the outermost level of Bronfenbrenner’s model, the Macrosystem, consists of cultural values, laws, customs and resources that influence experiences and interactions at inner levels of the environment.’ (Berk, L.E. (2008). Infants and Children: Prenatal Through Middle Childhood, Sixth edition. United States of America: Pearson Education, Inc.)

CHRONOSYSTEM ‘temporal changes in children’s environments, which produce new conditions that affect development. These changes can be impost externally or arise from within the child.’ (Berk, L.E. (2008). Infants and Children: Prenatal Through Middle Childhood, Sixth edition. United States of America: Pearson Education, Inc.)

Marlou’s fathers death left his family in a financial strain. The family went from being stable on a double income; a full-time income of his father and a part-time income of his mother. As a result of his death, the family were forced to rely on government assistance such as financial assistance to provide for day-to-day living. This has impacted Marlou as he is limited in his childcare attendance due to his

families financial situation.

MARLOU’S FATHERS DEATH

THE INDIVIDUAL

EXOSYSTEM

CHRONOSYSTEM

MACROSYSTEMMICROSYSTEM

MESOSYSTEM

REFERENCE LIST

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2008 July 23). 41020.0 Australian Social Trends, 2007. Retrieved from Australian Bureau of Statistics Web site: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/F4B15709EC89CB1ECA25732C002079B2?opendocument

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2008 June 5). 4442.0 - Family Characteristics, Australia, Jun 2003. Retrieved from Australian Bureau of Statistics Web site: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/ProductsbyReleaseDate/234CFF39BDFDFF80CA25745F00168760?OpenDocument

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2006 July 19). 4102.0 - Australian Social Trends, 2005. Retrieved from Australian Bureau of Statistics Web site: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/7d12b0f6763c78caca257061001cc588/33ca52361b68f1b2ca25703b0080ccb9!OpenDocument

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2008 September 15). 4102.0- Australian Social Trends, 2008. Retrieved from Australian Bureau of Statistics Web site: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Chapter3002008

Berk, L.E. (2008). Infants and Children: Prenatal Through Middle Childhood, Sixth edition. United States of America: Pearson Education, Inc.

Bowes, J.M. (2009). Children, Families and Communitites; Contexts & Consequences (3rd edn). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.