Things that are surprising me in America

So, I've just gotten back to the US from a year in Argentina and I'm surprised at the things that are surprising me. They are things that I took for granted before I left and then didn't exist in Argentina. Now that I'm back and things are supposed to be normal, these differences are stopping me in my tracks.

Things that don't exist in Argentina, most specifically in Buenos Aires
Diversity - culturally and racially
An entire aisle of cereals at the grocery store and a 1/2 aisle of granola bars
An abundance of vegetables
Large distances between shopping locations (ex. the strip mall)
Back yard trails


I will continue this list as I continue to discover new examples of reverse culture shock.

Insecurity

My first surprising realization about robberies in Argentina is that it happens more often to Argentines that to tourists. When you ask an Argentine if they’ve ever been mugged or robbed, they’ll start by telling you, “Well, the last time I got robbed it was like this.” Unfortunately, it’s not a once-in-a-lifetime event, but something that has to be dealt with more often that should be normal.

From what I’ve come to understand is that there are several bases to the problem of insecurity, as it is called. They are the similar to the problems you find in any developing country: poverty, drugs, alcohol, and a lack of education. The issue that makes the problem worse in Argentina is the lack of punishment. There is no penal system for minors, so any crime committed by a minor goes unpunished. This leaves victims and their families fuming with rage without receiving any justice for the crimes committed. It is hard to believe that a 15 year old who robs at gun point and even kills someone, can continue to walk the streets because they are not of age. And even when punishments are issued, they can often be lessened with bribes to the right people.

Most of the young people committing these crimes, which often happen at gunpoint or knifepoint, come from shanty towns or villas in and around Buenos Aires. The residents and the villas themselves are generally ignored by the government, so police enforcement is minimal to non-existent. However, they are provided with electricity and water free of charge, and since they are not technically allowed to live there, the residents do not pay rent either. These areas are hot spots for violence and breeding places for drug usage and criminal activities. Encouragement to study and get ahead in one’s studies is minimal, leading to few opportunities for employment later in life.

This cycle of active ignorance of the problem of ongoing insecurity by the government has led to an increase of the problem. If you can make more money stealing than you can working a normal job, why would you put in the effort to get a job if there are very few consequences for the first choice. In my opinion, a youth penal system needs to be established with severe consequences if the situation of Argentine security ever hopes to improve. I don’t think the villas will ever disappear because the residents gain more benefits by living there than by paying for all of their services. The government needs to put in the effort to enforce its laws and the entire society needs and deserves to have a justice system that they can believe in. How to make this change? I can admit to not having any idea how to do it, but somehow, maybe with a new wave of politics it could happen.