Student could have been pressured into accepting humiliating treatment
Mon, Nov 17, 2008
my paper
I READ with concern the report, "Birthday prank gone too far?" (my paper, Nov 14).
It is truly upsetting to know that students can behave towards each other in such a manner.
Such acts are a reflection of the lengths youths will go to in order to get thrills these days.
If it is indeed true that the victim of the demeaning prank is "popular with her peers", as the principal of Anglo-Chinese Junior College, Mrs Kelvyna Chan, says in her response, it makes one wonder what sort of treatment an unpopular student might receive.
Mrs Chan says she understood that "the student was prepared for the celebration, and that there was no malice or bullying involved".
She added that the birthday girl had assured her that "she (the student) was not physically or emotionally hurt".
The principal should have considered the possibility that the victim could have been under pressure to undergo and accept the humiliating treatment to avoid looking "uncool" or getting her peers into trouble, and losing their friendship as a result.
Throughout the cruel prank, the girl struggled, protested, cried and screamed. Her ordeal was also filmed and posted online.
When watching the incident unfold fills you with dread rather than makes you laugh, I would say that it was not "done in good humour".
I can understand that it is hard to control pranks carried out by over-enthusiastic teenagers, but this one definitely crossed the line.
Ms Guo Huixing
Mon, Nov 17, 2008
my paper
I READ with concern the report, "Birthday prank gone too far?" (my paper, Nov 14).
It is truly upsetting to know that students can behave towards each other in such a manner.
Such acts are a reflection of the lengths youths will go to in order to get thrills these days.
If it is indeed true that the victim of the demeaning prank is "popular with her peers", as the principal of Anglo-Chinese Junior College, Mrs Kelvyna Chan, says in her response, it makes one wonder what sort of treatment an unpopular student might receive.
Mrs Chan says she understood that "the student was prepared for the celebration, and that there was no malice or bullying involved".
She added that the birthday girl had assured her that "she (the student) was not physically or emotionally hurt".
The principal should have considered the possibility that the victim could have been under pressure to undergo and accept the humiliating treatment to avoid looking "uncool" or getting her peers into trouble, and losing their friendship as a result.
Throughout the cruel prank, the girl struggled, protested, cried and screamed. Her ordeal was also filmed and posted online.
When watching the incident unfold fills you with dread rather than makes you laugh, I would say that it was not "done in good humour".
I can understand that it is hard to control pranks carried out by over-enthusiastic teenagers, but this one definitely crossed the line.
Ms Guo Huixing
