What does the exo-system encompass?

The exo-system is a concept from Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, which describes the different layers of environment that influence child development. In this context, the exo-system includes external factors that do not involve direct interactions but still have a significant impact on an individual's development. This can involve the influence of parents’ workplaces, community services, and mass media, all of which can indirectly affect a child’s immediate environment and relationships within the microsystem—such as their family and school life.

Understanding this concept is crucial, as it highlights how broader social systems influence and shape the experiences of a child, even if the child is not directly interacting with these systems. The outcome of these external factors can modify the dynamics within the microsystem, thereby impacting the child’s development even if the child is not directly involved in those external settings.