"Hazing is an unusual activity that, when it occurs often enough, becomes perversely ordinary as those who engage in it grow desensitized to its inhumanity. "

- Hank Nuwer

 

Bullying is a severe problem, and it is a growing epidemic in schools. It can cause immense emotional damage to the person targeted, and it can lead to depression, aggression, and even suicide. There are many ways in which people are bullied or harassed, but one of the most used methods of harassing others is through hazing rituals. Hazing rituals happen when someone (usually from an older grade) intimidates or causes physical pain to students from lower grades for entertainment purposes. Henceforth, it has become known that there have been cases involving students being physically injured due to bullying with the use of weapons such as knives and clubs. The students who are chosen to be hazed are subjected to some discomfort or pain that is not necessary for their well-being; most of the time, this includes sexual humiliation. This is wrong and needs to be stopped.

Bullying in the Philippines is often seen as a rite of passage in schools. This is seen in cases where students are teased or bullied by their teachers or classmates. The most common type of bullying is mental, which involves actions like bullying and making fun of someone constantly. This can have serious psychological effects on students, including depression and anxiety. Some students who are subject to this type of bullying might also experience negative changes in their personal lives and relationships, affecting the quality of their mental health. This could lead them to abuse alcohol or drugs, act out, or even harm themselves.

In addition, hazing can make someone feel physically and mentally stressed, and it can damage their reputation and ability to get a good education. The school's reputation will be affected if the actions of its students are exposed, as will the student’s health and their ability to work in the future.

According to Human Kinetics, hazing can take many forms, including the following:

• To make victims act in embarrassing or humiliating ways
• To swear and yell insults at victims
• To deprive individuals of sleep or restrict personal hygiene
• To force victims to eat vile substances
• To physically beat individuals
• To force binge drinking
• To sexually assault victims
   

(https://us.humankinetics.com/blogs/excerpt/the-differences-between-bullying-and-hazing-and-how-you-can-prevent-it )

The Filipino students' strike is a terrific way to stop hazing from happening on campuses in the Philippines. This can be a huge step towards fighting all forms of bullying and would bring peace and tranquility to educational institutions in the country. This action can help stop victimization on campus as well as bring an end to violence in schools all around the country. It would make many people involved aware of hazing practices that are still occurring on campus today.

It is now time to end hazing and bullying on campuses because they have gone on for far too long. It is a well-known fact that hazing and bullying are not beneficial to anyone's mental health and can lead to hazardous consequences. Furthermore, voices must no longer be silenced because we all have the right to fight for a better educational environment, not just for ourselves but for future generations as well. We must stand for what is right because, as students, which is our goal: to become the light of the school and not the passage to darkness.

For this action to succeed, all students should participate, regardless of gender, religion, or beliefs. This is a wonderful way for younger students to connect with older students so that they may someday be able to organize another action like this with more experience. This is a way for all students to get out of their comfort zone, as well as gain a sense of happiness and community. Moreover, students should use this action for the days leading up to and after the strike. This action will help students who participate in hazing or bullying learn how to deal with the issues that plague them because of others' actions. This is a way of letting go of their anger because they will be acting peacefully instead of taking it out on other classmates.

 This action can also be used as an educational tool for future generations because it will teach them how to make better choices when it comes to their fellow students' well-being.

As a student who witnessed the threat and the pain that bullying can inflict, I am in full support of the effort to end hazing and bullying on campuses in the Philippines. I stand with those who are fighting for this cause, and I know that together we can have influence. In my view, this issue is more crucial than ever before because it can be used as the basis for developing programs that can serve our children better in the years ahead. We must acknowledge that bullying and hazing have become epidemics on our country's campuses. 

Your ONE VOTE can genuinely make a difference in preserving the youngsters' lives from the perpetrators and improving the school's atmosphere and learning opportunities. Share this petition for change with your friends and family and lend your support.

#stopbullying #endhazing #peacefulacademe #protectstudents                            # NoMoreHazing #StopBullyingandPromoteAcceptance