What does the exosystem refer to in Bronfenbrenner's ecological model?

In Bronfenbrenner's ecological model, the exosystem refers to settings that indirectly influence the child. This level encompasses environments that the child does not directly interact with but that can have a significant impact on their development and experiences. For example, a parent's workplace or the neighborhood's services can affect the child's life indirectly—such as a parent's job loss leading to stress at home, which can, in turn, influence the child's emotional well-being.

Understanding the exosystem is crucial because it highlights the broader social systems that play a role in shaping a child's development, even if the child is not actively participating in those systems. By recognizing the exosystem's influence, caregivers and child and youth care practitioners can work to address factors outside of the immediate environment that may affect a child's life, contributing to a more comprehensive approach to supporting their development. This understanding fosters a holistic view of the child's situation, as enough focus on the immediate settings or relationships without considering broader contexts may overlook critical influences on the child's well-being.