english,
College is a lot different from high school. The competition between students is at a higher level and with the added stress and pressure, it is not far-fetched for one to look for companionship. Others also look for the sense of belongingness in the new environment.
Joining an organization, fraternity, or sorority is one way to seek and find protection, support, and all the benefits that a fellowship can give to a neophyte. Joining such, however, involves going through an initiation process to prove that one is worthy to be allowed into the group. Many of these organizations, especially fraternities and sororities, use hazing as a test before one can become a member of the organization.
Hazing is not just a simple initiation rite. It involves violence, humiliation, and/or other dangerous activities which may cause great danger to the neophyte, or worse, death. Due to its dangers and the human rights violations it entails, this initiation rite must stop.
According to Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law, hazing is defined as any act forcing the neophyte to experience physical or psychological struggles from strenuous activities such as humiliation, violence, physical harm, and other suffering that is considered as initiation. Contrary to popular belief, hazing is not limited to physical abuse as initiates can be affected psychologically such as instances when senior members bully the neophytes by subjecting them to drudgery or humiliation. It causes depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome, low self-esteem, sleep problems and anxiety. It also affects how they form relationships and build trust among others. Thus, hazing receives a lot of criticism because it conflicts with the purpose of such organizations—that is to make friends and gain contacts, organize charities, and provide guidance to its members. Also, oftentimes, it does not conform to the rules of universities and the law.
From 2000 to 2014, there have been 37 deaths in the Philippines involving hazing. The numbers reported are just the tip of the iceberg of hazing incidences as former applicants pledge silence after becoming an official member of the organization. Most of these cases were dismissed due to the lack of witnesses and evidence.
The first recorded death caused by hazing was in 1954, before RA 8049 was ratified in 1995. The act only regulates and penalizes hazing. In Section 2, it states that “no hazing or initiation rights [...] should be allowed without prior notice to the school authorities or head of organization.” This clearly shows that the law still permits hazing as long as the schools are aware of its existence. The law also requires two representatives from the head of the school to oversee the initiation rites. Therefore, it does not ban hazing at all, but instead, it provides some sort of excuse for organizations to continue practicing it.
The most recent death case related to hazing is that of Horacio Castillo III, a neophyte of the Aegis Juris fraternity. His family is fighting for justice despite the silence that the members of the fraternity are giving in return. They are hoping that justice will be served through the law, yet the law itself seems to have a different approach towards finding justice that the victims long for. The law does not give much emphasis on the act of hazing as it is not viewed as a heavy crime. The law just aims to regulate it.
The law is not enough to protect the neophytes from becoming victims of hazing. The senate must re-examine the law and amend it. These rites should not be tolerated even if organizations insist that hazing is already part of their culture. Human rights should be valued more than this kind of tradition. Banning hazing is a matter of life and death for future generations. The deaths of the students should be an eye opener for all in realizing that hazing is an inhumane act that should be stopped. The organizations should develop a more reasonable initiation process for the neophytes. It should embed unity, peace, love and other values to aspiring members as these should be the foundations of comradeship.
Hazing is a crime, it is a clear example of abuse, and this is enough reason to stop it. Brothers are made to protect brothers, not neglect each other. //by Lm Gacad, Rachel Siringan and Marlyn Go
Sources:
● GMA News Online. (2017) Hazing deaths in PHL, 1954-present. GMA News Online. Retrieved on October 1, 2017 from https://www.google.com.ph/amp/www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/specialreports/626256/hazing-deaths-in-phl-1954-present/story%3Famp
● Nicolas and Deva Law Offices. (n.d.). Republic act no 8049: the anti-hazing law. Nicolas and Deva Law Offices. Retrieved on Ocotber 1, 2017 from http://ndvlaw.com/republic-act-no-8049-the-anti-hazing-law/
● Student Affairs. (n.d.) What is hazing?. Lehigh University. Retrieved on October 1, 2017 from https://studentaffairs.lehigh.edu/content/what-hazing
● Jimenez, J. B. (September 29, 2017). Why neophytes still join fraternities and sororities? Philstar. Retrieved October 1, 2017 from http://www.philstar.com/freeman-opinion/2017/09/29/1743714/why-neophytes-still-join-fraternities-and-sororities
● Reformina, I. (September 25, 2017). Suspects in UST hazing death face criminal raps. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved on September 25, 2017 from http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/25/17/suspects-in-ust-hazing-death-face-criminal-raps
● Dean of Students. (2017). What is hazing?. Office of the Dean of Students. Michigan Union. Retrieved on September 25, 2017 from https://deanofstudents.umich.edu/article/what-hazing
● The LawPhil Project. (n.d.). Republic act no. 8049. Arellano Law Foundation. Retrieved on September 25, 2017 from http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1995/ra_8049_1995.html
● Murphy, S. H. & Skorton, D. J. (2013) Hazing is never ok: column. USA Today. Retrieved on September 25, 2017 from https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/08/19/hazing-death-cornell-column/2674585/
• Nix, R. (n.d.) What is the purpose of being in a sorority? Classroom. Retrieved on October 4, 2017 from http://classroom.synonym.com/purpose-being-sorority-10439.html
• LaRose, L. (2014) Beyond bullying: the long-term effects of hazing on young adults. Theravive. Retrieved on October 11, 2017 from https://www.theravive.com/today/post/beyond-bullying-the-long-term-effects-of-hazing-on-young-adults-0001766.aspx
Opinion: Stop the Haze
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| Photo credit: Ezra Bustamante |
College is a lot different from high school. The competition between students is at a higher level and with the added stress and pressure, it is not far-fetched for one to look for companionship. Others also look for the sense of belongingness in the new environment.
Joining an organization, fraternity, or sorority is one way to seek and find protection, support, and all the benefits that a fellowship can give to a neophyte. Joining such, however, involves going through an initiation process to prove that one is worthy to be allowed into the group. Many of these organizations, especially fraternities and sororities, use hazing as a test before one can become a member of the organization.
Hazing is not just a simple initiation rite. It involves violence, humiliation, and/or other dangerous activities which may cause great danger to the neophyte, or worse, death. Due to its dangers and the human rights violations it entails, this initiation rite must stop.
According to Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law, hazing is defined as any act forcing the neophyte to experience physical or psychological struggles from strenuous activities such as humiliation, violence, physical harm, and other suffering that is considered as initiation. Contrary to popular belief, hazing is not limited to physical abuse as initiates can be affected psychologically such as instances when senior members bully the neophytes by subjecting them to drudgery or humiliation. It causes depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome, low self-esteem, sleep problems and anxiety. It also affects how they form relationships and build trust among others. Thus, hazing receives a lot of criticism because it conflicts with the purpose of such organizations—that is to make friends and gain contacts, organize charities, and provide guidance to its members. Also, oftentimes, it does not conform to the rules of universities and the law.
From 2000 to 2014, there have been 37 deaths in the Philippines involving hazing. The numbers reported are just the tip of the iceberg of hazing incidences as former applicants pledge silence after becoming an official member of the organization. Most of these cases were dismissed due to the lack of witnesses and evidence.
The first recorded death caused by hazing was in 1954, before RA 8049 was ratified in 1995. The act only regulates and penalizes hazing. In Section 2, it states that “no hazing or initiation rights [...] should be allowed without prior notice to the school authorities or head of organization.” This clearly shows that the law still permits hazing as long as the schools are aware of its existence. The law also requires two representatives from the head of the school to oversee the initiation rites. Therefore, it does not ban hazing at all, but instead, it provides some sort of excuse for organizations to continue practicing it.
The most recent death case related to hazing is that of Horacio Castillo III, a neophyte of the Aegis Juris fraternity. His family is fighting for justice despite the silence that the members of the fraternity are giving in return. They are hoping that justice will be served through the law, yet the law itself seems to have a different approach towards finding justice that the victims long for. The law does not give much emphasis on the act of hazing as it is not viewed as a heavy crime. The law just aims to regulate it.
The law is not enough to protect the neophytes from becoming victims of hazing. The senate must re-examine the law and amend it. These rites should not be tolerated even if organizations insist that hazing is already part of their culture. Human rights should be valued more than this kind of tradition. Banning hazing is a matter of life and death for future generations. The deaths of the students should be an eye opener for all in realizing that hazing is an inhumane act that should be stopped. The organizations should develop a more reasonable initiation process for the neophytes. It should embed unity, peace, love and other values to aspiring members as these should be the foundations of comradeship.
Hazing is a crime, it is a clear example of abuse, and this is enough reason to stop it. Brothers are made to protect brothers, not neglect each other. //by Lm Gacad, Rachel Siringan and Marlyn Go
● GMA News Online. (2017) Hazing deaths in PHL, 1954-present. GMA News Online. Retrieved on October 1, 2017 from https://www.google.com.ph/amp/www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/specialreports/626256/hazing-deaths-in-phl-1954-present/story%3Famp
● Nicolas and Deva Law Offices. (n.d.). Republic act no 8049: the anti-hazing law. Nicolas and Deva Law Offices. Retrieved on Ocotber 1, 2017 from http://ndvlaw.com/republic-act-no-8049-the-anti-hazing-law/
● Student Affairs. (n.d.) What is hazing?. Lehigh University. Retrieved on October 1, 2017 from https://studentaffairs.lehigh.edu/content/what-hazing
● Jimenez, J. B. (September 29, 2017). Why neophytes still join fraternities and sororities? Philstar. Retrieved October 1, 2017 from http://www.philstar.com/freeman-opinion/2017/09/29/1743714/why-neophytes-still-join-fraternities-and-sororities
● Reformina, I. (September 25, 2017). Suspects in UST hazing death face criminal raps. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved on September 25, 2017 from http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/25/17/suspects-in-ust-hazing-death-face-criminal-raps
● Dean of Students. (2017). What is hazing?. Office of the Dean of Students. Michigan Union. Retrieved on September 25, 2017 from https://deanofstudents.umich.edu/article/what-hazing
● The LawPhil Project. (n.d.). Republic act no. 8049. Arellano Law Foundation. Retrieved on September 25, 2017 from http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1995/ra_8049_1995.html
● Murphy, S. H. & Skorton, D. J. (2013) Hazing is never ok: column. USA Today. Retrieved on September 25, 2017 from https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/08/19/hazing-death-cornell-column/2674585/
• Nix, R. (n.d.) What is the purpose of being in a sorority? Classroom. Retrieved on October 4, 2017 from http://classroom.synonym.com/purpose-being-sorority-10439.html
• LaRose, L. (2014) Beyond bullying: the long-term effects of hazing on young adults. Theravive. Retrieved on October 11, 2017 from https://www.theravive.com/today/post/beyond-bullying-the-long-term-effects-of-hazing-on-young-adults-0001766.aspx
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