Your Voice: Balance is key to mental health; victim-blaming culture has silenced too many people (short letters)

Going into my first year of high school, I prepared to take the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT), a test for those who are seeking entrance to independent schools in the US and Canada.

Little did I know the amount of time, effort and tutorial classes it would take to prepare for it. The worst part was the anxiety.

This non-stop studying lasted for three months. I spent a quarter of a year cooped up in my room with little to no social interaction and barely any activities. I used to enjoy seeing friends, swimming, running and surfing every week, so this was a huge adjustment.

While I thought I was doing fine, one day I checked my blood pressure, and it was 134/82. It had always been in the healthy range, so this was alarming. Later, I started waking up in the night, dreading my test day. No matter what I was doing, this test trickled into my mind. It had taken over everything I did.

That was my wake-up call. I stopped studying, and started socialising, doing sports, and spending time with my family.

I learned that it’s important to find a balance and never drop all your hobbies for one thing.

Signs of study burnout and what you can do to avoid it

Rosanne Chow, St Paul’s Secondary School

A Netflix documentary, In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal, has gone viral worldwide.

It reveals the dark sides of four Korean religious leaders, for example, Jung Myung-seok, who sexually assaulted women under the guise of religion. Sexual violence can include rape, sexual harassment and “sextortion”.

Sadly, a victim-blaming culture has silenced many. Some blame the victims for not “behaving properly” in the first place, judging their choice of clothing and how they reacted to the assaults. However, the victims did not make any mistakes. It is the perpetrators who committed wrongdoings. Victim-blaming excuses predatory behaviour and shields offenders from responsibility for their crimes, encouraging them to continue.

While many women often support those who have survived sexual violence, it is important for everyone to take a stand. Sexual violence could happen to anyone. Therefore, it is crucial that we all become more vigilant and make an effort to prevent it from happening by standing up against perpetrators.

Take immediate action if you witness girls being harassed by strangers. Challenging perpetrators of sexual violence will allow women to live more freely.

Sexual harassment is never acceptable

Keilea Pang, St Paul’s Secondary School

I am responding to the article “Do not blame women: Japan’s declining birth rate sparks online debate” (South China Morning Post, March 28). While some attribute declining birth rates in Japan and elsewhere to women, I believe these accusations are misguided and unfair.

The root of the problem lies in various economic factors such as the rising cost of living, a lack of affordable housing, and high childcare costs. These issues often cause couples to delay pregnancy. Cultural norms and expectations also play a significant role in women’s reproductive decisions, as they are often pressured to prioritise motherhood over their professional aspirations.

It is unjust to blame women for low birth rates. Instead, society should adopt a comprehensive approach to address this issue, taking into account the many factors that contribute to the decline in birth rates and ensuring that they are addressed in an equitable manner.

How China’s lowest birth rate ever could affect the economy and what the government is trying to do

Jodie Roberta Rocha, St Paul’s Convent School

I am writing to discuss how Hong Kong students can improve their English writing skills.

Writing is a fundamental skill that is essential in all aspects of life. As a student, I often felt frustrated during writing exams because I believed that a longer passage would result in a higher score. As a result, I made my passages overly complex. However, after dedicating myself to reading, I have learned that writing requires passion and patience, and quality is more important than quantity.

To improve their writing, Hong Kong students should avoid clichés and platitudes and focus on using precise and concise language. Vivid language, including figurative techniques like similes and metaphors, can capture the reader’s attention and create a more engaging passage.

Reading is also essential for improving writing skills, as it exposes us to different writing styles, structures and techniques. Writing for leisure, such as keeping a diary, can also help us develop our writing skills and creativity.

It is important for students to develop a regular writing habit and not rush their writing. With practice and patience, Hong Kong students have the ability to become great writers.