Family comes first in Chile

By Justin Cox

In spite of my status as an outsider here -- or perhaps due to it -- the Chileans that I have met have been very open with me about their private lives, particularly in regards to their socio-economic positions. Through these conversations and a couple weeks of observation, I have learned a great deal about Chileans.

First, as a group, they work very hard. The normal work week here is 48 hours (eight hours a day for six days). Though Chile's per capita gross domestic product is among the highest in the region, the middle class here, like in all Latin American countries, is relatively small. It is almost a cliché to say so, but the reality here is that the vast majority of Chileans endure a daily struggle while a very small percentage of the population enjoys immense wealth.

For example, after 34 years of service, the local English teacher I am working with makes the equivalent of $500 a month, which, she tells me, is about average for someone in her position. Alfonso, the father of the family with whom I am staying, makes about $275 for the 192 hours he works every month as a security guard at a supermarket (nearly all stores here of even modest size employ security guards to discourage theft).

And Chile, particularly Antofagasta, is not a cheap place to live. A bottle of water here is about a dollar; gasoline is about $3 a gallon; the rent on my family's tiny two-bedroom apartment is about $260 month; and tuition at a good private high school is $2,500 a year. Alfonso's wife, Maritza, supplements her husband's income by working as a hairstylist out of their home, which is crucial since, after paying rent, only $15 of Alfonso's salary can be used for food, clothes, utilities and other necessities.

Despite their seemingly frequent flirtation with financial disaster (what happens if Alfonso is unable to work? Or rent goes up? Or Maritza loses clients?), Alfonso, Maritza and their two children are one of the happiest families that I have ever had the opportunity to meet.

In fact, on the whole, people here seem to be very content. From my experience in the States, few Americans truly are. We always seem to be looking ahead to the next vacation, the next promotion, paycheck and weekend. Though this goal-oriented way of living has turned the United States into the most efficient and materially prosperous nation on earth, I question the effect it has on the happiness of individual Americans and their families. Chileans dream about material goods, too (Alfonso and Maritza want more than anything to have a car and to own their own home), but they don't let these desires command so much of their attention that they ignore what is considered most sacred here: family.

At least, these are my early impressions of Chileans. I admittedly could be falling prey to the "grass is always greener" syndrome, but I don't think so. Either way, I'll let you know.

Justin Cox, a graduate of Scott City High School and Washington University, is teaching English in Chile. He is writing a weekly column during his six-month stay.