
Three different social-ecological factors that commonly impact a girl’s identity, health, and economic growth can be described through the levels of individual, interpersonal, and institutional using the social ecological model. For example, a social component of the ecological model could involve that women are discriminated against when they become pregnant at a very young age. Depending on the area she is in, she is taken less seriously in western culture. In most cases, if a young lady becomes pregnant while she is in high school/ college, she is immediately shut out of society. She is seen as weak and worthless, which ties into my next example. Secondly, the institutional component can relate to the workplace, and if the young mother to be is working and finds out she is pregnant, she does not have many benefits. Men have an easier time because companies will never have to worry about them becoming pregnant, or them lacking at work because of back pains or cramps. With the lack of support from her job, can leave her feeling hopeless and stressed out, which is not suitable for her health, and leaving her financially unstable. She is less likely to be able to get another job while pregnant because of the time off she will need after giving birth. Lastly, the interpersonal component deals with family, partner, and friends. If her family and friends support her through finding out, she is pregnant could make her feel secure in thriving as a parent. If her partner shuts her out and decides to leave because it is too much pressure to raise a child, it could also leave her in a vulnerable and stressful position raising a child alone with no support.
After watching the video presentation, “Socioecological Model of Health” by Dr. Marjory Ruderman from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, I have a better understanding of the determinants of health. Education relates to health status under the broad, social, economic, cultural, health, and environment conditions and policies at state and local levels. Depending on where you live in America, it is mandatory that by age 4/5, you will begin kindergarten and continue education for the next 14 years (senior in High School). Civilians pay taxes that go to the states which allow children to go to public school for free. If you did not grow up in a middle class to the upper-class household, this was not always the reality to make it to Senior year. Not being able to go to school, disadvantages them with knowing the basics of nutrition and exercise, could be detrimental for their overall health. As Dr. Early writes in Model 3.4 by “educating a girl, evidence has shown us that she will improve her health, well-being, and prosperity of her family, and the community.” I would say that my health status is secure because of how my ancestors took it upon themselves to make sure the men and women in the family were educated. My mother was raised to value nutrition and natural medicine, to the point that it is also my passion to prioritize my health. Also, being educated allows me to access the resources to have annual doctor checkups, dental appointments, and even counseling sessions. The more I learn, the more I thrive and use the knowledge I gain to help myself and others succeed.
Miller, R. (2013, June 27). An Introduction to the Ecological Model in Public
Health.Video posted to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhUxOZRn_4E
(J.Daly, Address the Root Causes of Gender Inequality and the Impact of Education and Social Change, January 2020)