44 CultureShock! Chile
country experienced in modern times occurred a few years
ago when Korean youth gangs clashed with Chilean gangs.
Authorities cracked down on the Korean gangs, threatening
their whole families with expulsion if the criminal behaviour
continued. The issue was eventually resolved, but not before
a number of Korean families were expelled.Class Structure
The sharpest distinctions between Chileans, however, are not
based upon ethnicity, but rather one’s position in the class
system. Chilean society is stratified according to income.
Notable families are firmly entrenched in the upper class.
However, recent economic growth has led to increased
social mobility and some changes.Old Money
Chile’s early economy was based primarily on agriculture
and mining and therefore the upper class consisted mainly
of landowners. Wealth and power has remained in the hands
of these same families for generations. Early on, you will