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• The meeting occurred at the Sociology Institute of the San Joaquín Campus (Pontifical Catholic University) and was attended by academics and individuals interested in the subject.
  
  

Thursday, June 14, 2024During the third session of the "Inequality and Stratification" workshop organized by the LM²C²Millennium Nucleus, Dr. Alejandra Abufhele, a demographer from the University of Pennsylvania and academic at the School of Government of the Adolfo Ibáñez University, presented the findings and key points of her work "The Cumulative Effects of Community Violence on Test Scores."

The document analyzes how constant exposure to violence in communities significantly affects children's academic outcomes. Through the use of multiple data sources, the research demonstrates that violence not only has an immediate impact but also accumulates over time, progressively deteriorating academic performance.

Among the long-term effects, Abufhele mentioned repercussions on children's cognitive and emotional development. She explained that the results show that children exposed to high levels of violence in their communities have significantly lower scores on standardized tests throughout their school trajectory.

Regarding the factors that mediate the impact of violence, she detailed some such as post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and decreased concentration in the classroom. Additionally, she referred to gender differences, explaining that boys and girls may experience and react differently to violence, suggesting the need for differentiated approaches in interventions.

Abufhele emphasized the importance of developing public policies that not only address violence directly but also consider its secondary effects in areas such as education and mental health. This could translate into psychological support programs in schools, as well as community initiatives to reduce violence.

Organized by the LM²C²Millennium Nucleus, this event aims to promote analysis, reflection, and knowledge exchange on the different forms of stratification in Chilean society. It will contribute to the design of public policies and actions that foster equity and social inclusion in Chile and worldwide.