MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Study reveals Chilean insensitivity to one of the country’s main problems, poverty
Stereotype vision of poverty A recent study shows Chileans’ low sensitivity to one of the nation’s biggest problems—poverty. Despite that 58.8% of Chileans say they believe poverty to be one of the country’s biggest problems only 15.3% say they feel responsible for the low quality of life of those who have limited resources.
As reported in El Mercurio, the study was carried out by the School of Psychology at the Universidad Católica. Researcher Roberto Gonzalez explained that part of taking responsibility for poverty was for people to understand that it is not only the state’s problem, but also their own.
Yet the poll showed low cognitive and emotional empathy for the reality of poverty.
“It is a factor that directly influences the disposition of making donations or collaborating with solidarity initiatives,” Gonzalez said.
The study points out one of the reasons for Chilean’s low sense of responsibility is that they attribute being poor to negative internal factors – drug abuse, alcoholism, or having been born in difficult circumstances. Such stereotypes do not consider external factors, such as low salaries, social discrimination or a poor-quality education.
The researchers say they are confident that through education, people can become more aware of poverty and how it affects the country’s feeling of solidarity.
By Mary Le Gassick – Santiago Times
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Read all commentsMercoPress - or the Santiago Times - may require a new translator. Since when did the English language change such that not to feel “responsible” translates to demonstrating “insensitivity”? In no way do I feel responsible for Chilean poverty. But am I sensitive toward it? Certainly. Would I be willing to reallocate some of my resources toward anti-poverty programs? Yes. But am I “responsible” for the poverty? No.
Nov 09th, 2010 - 05:20 pm 0When you deny the existence of poverty you are insensible. Most Chileans tend to do this, all the time, to impress people from different countries.
Nov 09th, 2010 - 05:41 pm 0(1) Douglas
Nov 09th, 2010 - 05:45 pm 0Seems to be that Chile is being “hit” by the “quite peculiar” MercoPress translation style too :-)
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