Leticia Rodriguez

CEE 33X

June 2, 2005

The Concept of Home: An analysis of the “apartment” in Chile

6161 Presidente Riesco

Las Condes, Santiago, Chile

1. Photo +

2. Formal symbolic model

Apartment Building

Functions	Forms	Behaviors
Durability	Brick and concrete walls	In excellent condition
Security	Large gate	24 hour receptionist in lobby
Modern	Balconies	Resembles a fancy hotel
Beauty	Glass windows	Well maintained
Overlook city	Tall structure	Grand and accessible

The forms of this apartment complex seem to have been built to match the intended functions, and the behaviors reflect these functions and forms. The building has brick and concrete walls that relate to the functional intent of durability and sturdiness, and the outer surface walls appear to be in excellent condition. The function of security is manifested in the form of the large gate, and the behavior of a 24 hour receptionist in the lobby. The building was built in 1994 so it has a modern design that includes its height (in comparison to the historic buildings of Santiago) and the presence of many glass windows. I think this is why it also resembles a fancy hotel. Beauty is present in the many glass windows around the building and in its excellent maintenance. Lastly, the building was designed with the functional intent to have a view that overlooks the city. This is seen in the forms of the tall structure with the various windows and balcony of each apartment. This tall structure also ties into the grand nature of the building, which makes it visible from afar.

Lobby

Functions	Forms	Behaviors
Street access	Main door	People seem happy
Access to backyard	Side door	People entering and leaving
Security	Locked gate	24 hour receptionist
Comfort	Large, spacious area	Fluffy couches
Beauty	Tile floors	Plants and portraits illuminate the room

The main door of the lobby leads to the apartment exit from this view, but it is also the apartment entrance. The side door also allows people to go out and in from the backyard. This is why I saw lots of people coming in and out of these doors. The lobby is secure as the locked gate and the 24 hour receptionist allow only apartment dwellers to come in. This area was also designed for comfort as it is large and spacious, and there are many fluffy couches surrounding a center table. The lobby also has an element of beauty with its spaciousness, the fluffy couches, and tile floors, plants and portraits all around. Also, people seemed very happy and I think it has to do with the security, comfort, and beauty of the area.

Family apartment inside complex

Functions	Forms	Behaviors
Family home	Three bedrooms with one master bedroom	Family discussion at dinner table
Comfort	Spacious rooms	People seem comfortable
Privacy	Thick walls	Silence
Beauty	Large glass window	Well maintained walls
Overlook city	Balcony	People standing on balcony

The apartment was designed with the functional intent of a “family home,” and it is manifested in the fact that one bedroom is larger than the other two (a master bedroom for parents). Indeed, a family does live in this apartment, and we all shared a lovely discussion over dinner. The spacious rooms and the fact that there are so many bedrooms represent the functional intent of comfort; the family did seem comfortable during my visit. There was no sign of them being cramped up in any of their rooms. One of the sons has the “maid’s room,” but expressed to me that it is still large compared to other maids’ rooms. Privacy is maintained by the thick walls of the complex, and is evident when the family is quiet, because one cannot hear the activities/noise of the neighbors. It is also noted with the various rooms. Normally, each child has his/her own room. This is the first time they have an exchange student staying in their home and the student took the daughter’s room, so now the daughter sleeps with the host mom. This takes away some privacy for them, but it does not seem to be a problem. Beauty is manifested in the form of the large glass window that has an excellent view of the city, and in the well maintained walls. The paint is still fresh, and there are no marks or dirt on the walls. This beauty is also present because the apartment is well maintained by the “nana” (maid). Lastly, this apartment was designed with the functional intent to have a view that overlooks the city. This is seen in the form of the balcony. Thus, it is common to see people standing on the balcony to catch a glimpse of Santiago, especially after the rain when the smog disappears and the Andes Mountain Range is actually visible.

3. Faces of the patrimonio construido de Santiago: This apartment complex represents the residential face of Santiago, but it is also intertwined with the government and employment sectors. This complex is only a metro ride away from most government buildings; and it is ideally located in the business sector if Santiago, so people can commute to and from work in a short time. This complex also represents the modern face Santiago, and the increased emphasis on improving the infrastructure of the city so that the residents can enjoy a better quality of life. Various micros pass by this house, and people can also take a metro bus to get to the metro. Thus, unlike some of the historic homes with neoclassical design and columns that we see in Santiago, this complex has a modern design that can be found in the U.S. today.

Identity of the Chilean designers and the project users based on view: Chileans do not seem proud of the architecture in their city. We often associate the historic buildings with what is truly Chilean, but we have also seen that Santiago is becoming more of a modern city, with improvements in infrastructure occurring every day. Santiago recently opened up a new freeway, providing a faster, more direct route to the airport. It is also in the process of creating a fourth metro (subway) line. Thus, this home is a part of the new identity of Santiago—one that is more modern and in line with the changing times of our world.

4. The apartment complex is an implicit result of globalization. Chile has become more global over the past 20 years, opening its market to foreign corporations and thereby expanding its overall GDP and allowing the rich to get richer. This is evident with the beauty and elegance of the apartment complex and likewise its location in a wealthy community of Santiago. As Chile becomes wealthier it can afford to build more modern, nicer buildings and people can afford them. The people in this apartment complex have probably benefited from some of the positive effects of globalization. Chile has changed dramatically over the past thirty years, from a democracy to a dictatorship and back to a democracy, from an attempt to almost fully nationalize the economy to a market driven state and an even greater involvement in freed trade agreements and the global market. Allende’s administration constructed an apartment complex for poorer families across the way from this elegant apartment complex in an attempt to integrate people from different levels of socio-economic status. But the military forced people out of these homes during the Pinochet administration and Santiago was re-segregated based on class. The Concertación de Partidos Democráticos maintained this segregation of homes and communities based on class. Thus, the government not only allowed the construction of this apartment complex, but it has also allowed it to remain out of sight of Santiago’s poor citizens.

5. Sketch

This sketch is of the front of the apartment. At the main entrance is the lobby with a receptionist behind a desk to the right, and a couch with some furniture and plants to the left, though that is not too visible in my sketch. This sketch tries to capture the huge length of the building but at the same time not making it seem too overwhelming or overbearing, because that is not the sense I got when looking at it. Also present in the sketch are the balconies that can be found all around the building in each apartment of every floor.

6. Pluses/Deltas on Behaviors

Apartment Complex

· In excellent condition +

I am glad the apartment building is in excellent condition because it means people have the resources to care for it. This complex was also built with sturdy brick and concrete walls to withstand an earthquake. Though there has not been an earthquake thus far, I am confident that if one were to occur, it would not terribly destroy this building and thus would not harm the residents of the complex.

· 24 hour receptionist in lobby +

The 24 hour receptionist gives one a sense of relief and security. The building is gated all around, but this person serves as a second form of protection. Coincidently, all the times I have gone there has been a male receptionist at the front desk, perhaps because people tend to feel safer and more protected by a male than a female.

· Resembles a fancy hotel +

I like this hotel feeling, which to me comes from the modern style, beauty, tall structure, the lobby, and the receptionist. This may not be ideal for an older person or a family, but as a younger person, I enjoy walking into the lobby and feeling like I just stepped into a 5-star hotel.

· Well maintained +

Where one lives says a lot about a person, and so in general people want their home to be at the very least clean, but also presentable. One can see by the outward appearance that this apartment complex is well maintained. The walls have no cracks on them, the paint is still on nicely, the plants are lively, and the floors and furniture are clean. I have seen a janitor sweeping the floor in the lobby before, and a maid also cleans my friend’s apartment.

· Grand and accessible +/Δ

The grandness of the building, based on its tall form, is a good thing because people can see it from afar, and because it provides a nice view of the city (also because of the windows and balcony). However, the fact that the building is 24 stories high makes it complicated for people who live on the top floors. There are elevators too make it more comfortable, but either way, it is also probably more frightening to look at the outside view from the 24^th floor. Likewise, while its accessibility by bus and car is a positive thing, it can also be negative because of the traffic, congestion, and pollution near the apartment complex.

Lobby

· People seem happy +

I enjoyed seeing people greet each other and the receptionist while smiling. I think people need to be happy with where they live and I think that the security, comfort, and beauty helped.

· People entering and leaving +

This behavior did not bother me at all. It was what I would expect from an apartment complex in the morning, and it was good to see some movement of people.

· 24 hour receptionist +

Again, I enjoyed having the receptionist there as it made me feel safer when visiting my friend.

· Fluffy couches +

These fluffy couches really do bring out the room and allow both guests and apartment dwellers to feel comfortable when waiting in the lobby.

· Plants and portraits illuminate the room +

All of this gave the lobby an element of beauty. I think it was built with that intention, and then the owners added further decoration to bring out the beauty in the built forms even more so. This was a nice thing to look at when passing through the lobby.

Family apartment inside complex

· Family discussion at dinner table +

I loved that everyone in the family was present for dinner and that they engaged in a lively discussion about various topics. I think the fact that the dining room is connected to the living room helps create a warmer atmosphere for dinner. Plus the area is small enough where everyone can hear each other well but not feel cramped.

· People seem comfortable +

People want to feel comfortable in their home so of course I was happy to see that the family was going about their daily activities without crossing each others paths, feeling cramped for space, or just feeling uncomfortable overall about anything. The way the building is structured and its spacious rooms really helps create a positive, healthy atmosphere for a family.

· Silence +

Silence is a positive thing when it centers on not being able to hear the neighbors. This also means that neighbors can’t hear this family, so they are able to have privacy and peace and quiet when they are not making noise themselves. This can be attributed to the built thick walls in the apartment, which keep the inside matters inside, and the outside events outside.

· Well maintained walls +

The walls are nicely painted a vanilla color with no marks of any kind. This is a change from other homes I have seen that are in repair, or in which the kids often destroy a part of the wall. I enjoyed how this added to the beauty of the home.

· People standing on balcony +

I stood on the balcony myself as the view was too irresistible. It made me happy that people stand out on the balcony every now and then to take a break from the business of life.

7. Personal vignette

When I first saw this apartment complex, I was impressed by both its outward and inward appearance. A friend gave me a quick tour of the “back yard,” and I remember it was peaceful out. We then took the elevator up to her apartment on the sixth floor, and I absolutely loved her apartment. Her bathroom was fancy, and the rooms had carpet floors, which are my favorite. Before leaving I stepped out onto the balcony to get a lovely night view of the South-western part of Santiago. There were so many lights and tall buildings in my view. On another occasion I stayed for dinner, but I have only been to my friend’s apartment three times.

8. Architectural critic review

Left: View of apartment at night Bottom: View of Santiago from balcony of apartment on 6^th floor.

It is very rare that I walk into an apartment complex in awe. Usually it is boring, colorless, and with more concrete than windows and greenery. But this apartment complex is different from the rest. It is aesthetically pleasing, with lots of grass around the building, and plants inside the building. Couches and a center table help give the lobby a homely feeling. But the other feeling I got when I first entered was one of walking into the lobby of a fancy hotel. The elegant tile floors, the receptionist behind the large marble desk, the tastefully painted walls, and the mere tallness of the building all contributed to this hotel feel. As a young adult, I found this captivating. It is as if people have the option of whether they want to have the homely feeling, or use their imagination to turn the place into a fancy hotel. But this living situation may not be ideal for those people who live on the top floors, and its massiveness makes it problematic for a family with children or people who are afraid of heights.

The typical apartment inside this complex is modern, glamorous, and warm. The one I visited was small enough to have a cozy, homely feel to it, yet spacious enough to feel comfortable. The apartment has one fairly large room accompanied by two smaller rooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a laundry room, and a living room connected to the dining room. There is also some space from the front door entrance to the living room, and a connecting hallway to the master bedroom. The best part about this apartment, however, is the balcony that offers a view of the South-western part of Santiago. This balcony is separated from the living room by a glass door, and the living room also has a large glass window on another side of it. Thus, these two pieces of glass allow for a beautiful view of the city and for the sunlight to come in during the daytime.

The apartment complex is gated for security purposes, but there is enough space between the apartment itself and the gate for people to move about. There is a lot of grass, a water fountain, some benches, and a pool for people’s enjoyment. Outside the complex, there is a large, spacious park where couples can take a walk or sit on a bench, children can play, the family can walk the dog, or people can jog (though the pollution might interfere with the jogging). A mall with a Starbucks, some restaurants, a movie theatre, and all the major department stores is also within walking distance, though people can also get there by car or bus through the various streets that surround this complex. The apartment is ideally located in a busy yet still residential part of Las Condes.

9. Brand

The surroundings of the building have not changed much because this building was built in 1994, so it is only about 11 years old. There are many similar looking apartment complexes nearby and a park and a mall. During Allende’s administration, another apartment complex was constructed nearby for poorer residents, but they were forced to move out during the Pinochet era. So this building is part of the changing built environment of Santiago. The site has been the same since 1994 when the apartment building was first constructed. Fortunately, there have not been any major earthquakes thus far. The setting changes by season because of all the trees around the complex. The leaves of the trees take their course, turn different colors, and the trees become barer during the autumn. Other than that, the setting remains the same, especially because the grass is mowed and plants maintained very well. It was difficult for me to determine what holds up the building—the structure—because I saw no poles or rods in the rooms like the Stanford Center. But the concrete and brick that I see on the outside of the apartment lead me to believe they help support the structure in case of an earthquake. The building is equipped both necessary and luxurious services such as water (even warm water with no califon), electricity, gas, phones, and a network. The family in the apartment complex I observed has DSL High Speed internet access. I would say a lot of this is new and more modern in Santiago. The skin of the building is in excellent condition. The walls look as I they have been painted, but perhaps it is the newness of the building. The windows do not need replacement, and the carpets are clean and comfortable. The space plan of the apartment probably has not changed much, except for when the family decides to move a couch to another side of the room. This family makes good use of the rooms. They leave enough space so that the rooms do not appear crowded, but rather well-decorated, modern, and comfortable. Lastly, stuff changes daily in this household because each day is a different day with new experiences or with visitors. But one would still expect to find similar occurrences each day, such as the family eating at the dinner table or talking.

10. Theoretical Interpretation: Rybczynski

According to Rybczynski’s analysis, this apartment exhibits the functions of efficiency. Its functions of domesticity, intimacy and privacy are a bit more questionable but there are still such elements present. But in the end there is no comfort and well-being. Rybczynski says that efficient homes are not those that are large and stylish, but those that are smaller and simpler because it takes less time to clean them and get around the house. This apartment has the ability to appear large and stylish, when in fact it is a decent size for the number of family members. It is in fact rather simple and therefore efficient. Rybczynski says that domesticity “has to do with family, intimacy, and devotion to the home, as well as with a sense of the house embodying—not only harboring—these sentiments” (75). The family did not seem to consider this place home. They called it their apartment, but they like their place. They feel secure, it is beautiful, and spacious enough for them. Intimacy and privacy is also complicated. The host mom is a single mom so there is no intrusion on a space for intimacy between the host mom and dad. Also, the family seems intimate and loving with each other, but at the same time the members give each other space. Normally the two children and host mom have their own room, but this has changed with an exchange student in their home. The daughter gave up her room (or had it taken away) and now shares a room with her mom, though a lot of her things are still in her original room. This takes away from the privacy of the daughter and host mom, and even the host student if the daughter needs to constantly go into her old room to get things. But this change does not seem to be a problem. I sensed no hostility on the part of the daughter, and soon she will have her own room again. Given all of this information, I would say that according to Rybczynski, there is no comfort in the home. Rybczynski says that people have comfort and well being in their homes through such qualities as “convenience, efficiency, leisure, ease, pleasure, domesticity, intimacy and privacy” (231). Because I cannot verify that all these qualities exist within this home, I cannot truly say that the home has comfort and well-being (according to the way Rybczynski sees it). Lastly, Rybczynski’s discussion of the home becoming the sphere of the woman applies here because this lady is a single mom and takes care of some domestic duties. The maid also performs many of the domestic duties—but she too is a woman.

11. Theoretical Interpretation: Flessig

Using Flessig’s 10 point analysis of Smart Growth, this apartment building supports Smart Growth in some areas, but not in others. The building is close to existing development and infrastructure such as grocery stores, a mall, a park, and the modern district that includes many of the high skilled jobs of Santiago. But the building does not have a mix and balance of uses. It is strictly used for apartments, so residents cannot just walk downstairs to buy groceries or pay bills. The building also has site optimization and compactness but it may be a little too much. Flessig argues that the problem is “creating a meaningful density, particularly on sites in the central core, without overwhelming facilities” (9). He also recommends 14 or more dwelling units per acre as excellent. This apartment complex is 24 stories high, with about three or four apartments per floor, and I am not sure if the engineers considered the ground space density. When all these people are downstairs or around the outskirts of the facility, I would assume it can get complicated. Still, I think Flessig would support the density of the project. Next, there are many accessibility and mobility choices transportation wise. There are pedestrian sidewalks that are well paved, and the metro and metrobus, and micros (city buses) have stops nearby. However, the metro is a bit inconvenient because it requires paying an additional fee for the metrobus after getting off the metro. Walking from the metro is tiresome, especially because it requires traveling up a hilly road. People can also get to and from this apartment by automobiles. In terms of community context and site design, this building reflects the way Santiago is changing into a more modern city. The scale and mass is a bit much but it is in concert with its surroundings because there are a lot of tall apartment and workspace buildings in the area. There are also civic spaces such as a park nearby, and the design is pleasing to the eye. Flessig’s sixth term is also present as the sidewalks here are wide enough for pedestrian use, a street intersection is directly next to the complex and leads to retail uses, etc., and a park is also less than 5 minutes away (which is excellent according to Flessig). I am not aware of how well the apartment complex is inline with environmental smart growth, other than the fact that there are a lot of plants, trees, and grass surrounding the building. Facilities in Santiago tend to do their best to conserve electricity and water, but in places such as these where people are wealthier, sometimes they can be more wasteful of resources. There is no economic diversity in this area; all of the apartment complexes are high priced. But this apartment is located in the heart of Santiago’s booming economy so there is a diversity of places that address various civic needs. This building does not seem to match re-use and redevelopment. It could because a hotel, but it is not suited to become an office building or shopping center. Lastly, this building is 11 years old and I found no information on the planning process, so I cannot comment on Flessig’s final point of process collaboration and predictability of decisions. I would assume that the community or future residents had a voice in the construction of the building because that is the nature of how wealthier communities function—at least that is the case in the United States.

12. Alexander patterns

Patterns present

• 51. Green streets: This apartment complex is surrounded by sidewalks with lots of grass.
• 110. Main entrance: There is only one way to get into the apartment complex. First you have to go through a locked door of the gate, and then you enter through the front door of the lobby.
• 76. House for a small family: This apartment is a nice house for a small family because it has a master bedroom and two smaller rooms for the children.
• (My own) Walk in closet: A walk in closet makes life much simpler. It helps people organize their belongings and find things much quicker. I have only been inside one bedroom in this apartment and that bedroom has a walk in closet.

Patterns not present

• 21. Four story limit: Alexander would probably argue that this 24 story apartment complex will make some people go crazy. It clearly violates his four story limit on buildings.
• 131. The flow through rooms: Alexander says there should be connecting hallways with enough space to put a bench and with proper lighting, and that rooms should not be dead ends for such hallways. But the only hallway in this apartment is a bit narrower and does not have a light. It also ends once it gets to the bedroom.
• 137. Children’s realm: The children have enough space to play as there are two rooms, and plenty of safe outdoor space. However, they are not completed separated from the parents and a family room apart from the living room would be more of an ideal situation for the kids to play in.
• 136. Couple’s realm: The master bedroom is right next to one of the children’s rooms, and has no bathroom of its own, so the parents have to pass by one of the child’s room to get to the bathroom.
• 141. Room of one’s own: Since it is a small family, each child has his/her own room. Alexander thinks one’s own personal space is important.
• (My own) Swing set: I think every house with children and ever teenagers should have a swing set because it is fun, relaxing, and enables children to be children. But this apartment complex does not have one in the backyard.

13. Grounded theory

Interview #1: Host mother of a Stanford student (About 40 yrs. old)

Lives in apartment with children

1. Do you own or rent this apartment?

I rent, but there are some people in this building that own their apartments.

2. Is there something from your childhood home that you liked a lot?

I liked everything because I didn’t live here in Santiago, I lived in San Felipe. My house was large and I liked it because it was large. It was always filled with people, I had 8 brothers and sisters, and my dad had a “parcela” where he grew fruit. We killed chickens with my friends, it was very fun. En the “parcela” we had workers who lived there. But it is very different. Here in Santiago it’s larger, faster, over there smaller, people go have lunch in their homes, the businesses close at 1, they go home, and the re-open at 4, it’s more relaxed.

3. Is there something from this apartment that reminds you of that?

Nothing, no nothing because everything is smaller, the kitchen was larger, the bathroom enormous, there is no comparison. There were so many of us we had 2 maids.

4. In your ideal house, would you like to have this?

I can’t think of the ideal home because I am from Providencia, I cannot buy a house, I am scared that someone will assault me, to live in a house here in Santiago. In an apartment it is safer. But my ideal apartment would have large rooms with everything for my kids. But if you look today all of the rooms are very small, in the maids’ rooms you can’t even fit a bed. A department, but, comfortable, large, spacious, with large rooms.

5. Do you feel your apartment has all that is necessary for your protection and necessary things?

I have everything, it’s super comfortable.

6. Do you feel you can express yourself as you like and share feelings of love in this apartment?

Like welcoming is how I understand it, I feel fine. And I am no the type of person who will be sad (que va estar con pena).

7. Do you feel that your apartment has privacy and independence?

Yes all of it, I can’t hear anything from other apartments. You can’t feel anything, of people stepping above. I love that because in other apartments you can feel that. I can say that there is a lot of privacy.

8. Do you feel that your apartment has an element of beauty?

(Pause) Yes, I find that my apartment is really nice. The lobby…despite that I don’t have large rooms.

Questions for the other three interviews:

1. What do you like most from your childhood home?

2. Do you have that in your house now?

3. Would you like to have that in your ideal house?

4. Does your house have the basic necessities?

5. Does your house have beauty, more comfort, and more space?

6. Do you think there is a difference between living in an apartment and living in a house here in Santiago?

7. How long do you take to get from your house to work?

8. In what form of transportation?

9. Is this ideal for you, or would you like to change this?

Interview #2: Patricia Zuniga (About 30 yrs. old)

Lives in house with husband and children

1. The front garden because there I played with my friends.

2. Yes.

3. (Question changed to new question) Did that influence your decision? Was it important?

Yes it mattered. I find it dangerous for the kids to play, there is a gate in front and it protects them from the street.

4. Yes.

5. It’s comfortable, yes.

6. Yes, there is a big difference. An apartment is more closed, a house has more space, it’s freer, you have a garden.

7. Forty-five minutes, without traffic. In the mornings is when there is the most traffic.

8. In a car.

9. No it doesn’t bother me because I really like the area I live in.

Interview #3: Glenn (24 yrs. old)

Lives in house of his grandparents

1. The back patio because that is where I played.

2. Yes, but it is dominated by the dog. I haven’t been able to go out there to the patio. One can go out there to play with the dog, but you need a lot of clothes because the dog slobbers and is really big.

3. Yes. Right now I live with my grandparents and before in Antofagasta with my parents.

4. Yes there it has security. The califon broke for two weeks, I didn’t have warm water but now I do.

5. (Questions change) Does your house have beauty, more luxuries, is it large, with a garden?

Beauty-more or less. Large-more or less. Garden-about 2 meters outside.

6. Yes, it apartments the neighbors bother. In a house there is more privacy.

[So you prefer to live in a house?] Yes.

7. One hour.

8. On metro.

9. No I am going to move because it is too far and I want my own place.

Interview #4: Liliana (mid-30’s)

Lives in house with husband and son

1. I don’t remember anything about it. I moved to the south [of Chile] when I was four. I recently went back but it’s abandoned. It was a house of adobe.

2. N/A

3. N/A

4. Yes it has everything.

5. Yes, lots of space, lots of light, I feel comfortable.

6. Yes there is a big difference. In an apartment there is less space, they are smaller. The house is not because it has a patio, with more comfort.

7. One hour.

8. On micro [bus].

9. I would like for it to be closer but that is the reality of how it works with where one lives and works.

Coding:

No memories (for one interviewee)

Theme of security

Notion of privacy

Childhood memories of playing and friends

Gender differences

Generational difference

Necessities vs. luxuries

Apartment vs. home life

City vs. suburb life

Memos:

The first interview was conducted a week before the other two, and the final interview about two weeks after that. The first interview also lasted much longer than the other two because of interruptions and tangents. It was tough to explain the differences between necessities and luxuries in order for them to answer the questions, so I changed the question to be more specific about comfort and beauty. The first person is the host mom of a Stanford student and she has two children. Patricia Zuniga is married with children. Liliana is also married and has a son. Glenn, however, is younger than the other interviewees. He is not married and has no children. I think these characteristics were reflected in the interviews and played a role in how each person answered the questions. For example, the host mom and Patricia had to think of their children when answering questions, meanwhile Glenn only thought of himself. However, that is not always the case as Liliana did not mention her son in the entire interview.