ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 1

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

In status quo, wherever we look we are able to witness differences in status,

wealth, appearance, and power. Some people have a higher status and therefore have
greater privilege than others. This inequality in the system is what we call social
stratification. In this rigged and unequal social system, there is often unfair treatment
or bias against certain individuals or social groups. This is what we commonly call as
discrimination (Examples of discrimination in society today, 2016).

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (n.d.), the

forms of discrimination can range from discrimination of the race (racism),
discrimination based on gender (sexism), religion, or even age. In our country, the
Philippines, discrimination is a very common act especially when it comes to the
youth. Many studies have been conducted about the discrimination in workplaces,
such as unfair salary allowance and opportunities but researchers have failed to study
what the effects of discrimination can have on a Filipino student nor was there any
assessment or activity done to help stop discrimination.

According to Richman and Leary (2011) humans are very responsive to how
others "perceive, evaluate, and feel about them (p. 365)". Discrimination may have
adverse effects on the mental and emotional health of a student. If nothing is done,
permanent consequences are bound to occur. There is a risk that their performance in
school might actually be affected.

According to Nelson Mandela, “Children are our greatest treasure. They are our
future.” Yet how can we expect to have a better future if students are not protected
from discrimination? In my 10 years of studying, I have not witnessed personally any
seminar or activity about discrimination. Assessments were not even done to see the
seriousness of discrimination on students. Perhaps the government thinks that it is no
longer a timely issue and has decided to neglect the need for any action to be done.
Another reason maybe perhaps they do not realize the graveness of the effects of
discrimination on a student. As evidence to this is that only 1 anti-discriminatory bill
ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 2

has been released by the government which is known as House Bill 6416
(International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission [IGLHRC], 2016).
Unfortunately, it only focuses on the LGBT community and anti-discrimination
regulations in the workplace.

With this in mind, the researcher had thought of assessing the seriousness of
discrimination in today’s society and its effects on the performance and health of
students.

B. Statement of the Problem

The study aimed to assess the level of discrimination and its effects on students.
Specifically it aimed to answer the following questions:

a) Is discrimination widely happening today in our society specifically in the

Philippines? If yes, what is the most common form of discrimination?
b) How does discrimination affect students today?
c) Is there a need for the government to take necessary action to stop
discrimination?
C. Significance of the Study

Discrimination is real and its effects on the human mind are very severe. This
study will help students who are victims of discrimination and even those who are not
yet victims. This will serve as a wakeup call for the government that discrimination is
timely and is still occurring. This will prompt them to hopefully take action in order
to solve a problem that will result to grave consequences. Not only that, parents and
teachers will be aware that discrimination may affect their child’s performance in
school and even their behavior. They can take disciplinary actions in order to ensure
that their children will be able to finish schooling and have a better future ahead.

D. Scope and Limitations

The study is limited to the assessment on the severity of discrimination today and
its effects on the performance of students. This study also focused on the 50 students
from 3 different schools: 16 students from Regional Science High School, 17 students
ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 3

from Pilar College Zamboanga City, and 17 students Western Mindanao State
University. Furthermore, the study limits usage of Google forms only and with the
used of its statistical tools present.

E. Review and Related Literature

As far as historical records show, no society or nation has been immune to

discrimination, either as victim or victimizer. Discrimination, brings the meaning
unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice and partiality. It can
lead to emotions such as frustration and anger. In humans, it is a mild or serious form
of suffering, often with anger about this, in particular, if applicable, anger at the
person or persons who caused it. Many people believe discrimination has made big
steps forward, but has it really? If it has, why do people still get turned down, receive
hate mail, or get ridiculed simply because they differ from each other. I guess these
are questions we must ask ourselves (Essays, 2013).

According to a study by Brown (2015), the internalization of discrimination starts

with parents and, later, teachers--the groups primary in the formation of attitudes
within children. The media and social institutions solidify discriminatory attitudes,
giving them social legitimacy, since discrimination is learned and acquired.

Discrimination produce immense effects in the psychological, social, political,

and economic domains. Whether intended or not, the effects are compounded by the
loss of self-worth, a sense of alienation from the wider society, decrease in self-
esteem, political disempowerment, and economic inequalities (Essays, 2013).

The government has made attempts to help with this discrimination. Things like
“affirmative action” have been put into practice in order to cut down on this
discrimination. However, in my opinion, affirmative action has done nothing but
make this problem worse. It does, in fact, help out some minority groups, but on the
other hand, I believe that in some cases it ends up discriminating against the majority
(Davidio, 2012).
ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 4

METHODOLOGY

A. Research Locale
The collection of the survey to answer the research problems was done through the
online survey by the power of Google forms.
B. Research Design

This study utilized the Descriptive Research Design. It utilized questionnaires to

collect data and information in order to answer questions about the current status of
the subject or topic of the study and uses formal instruments to study preferences,
attitudes, concerns or interest of a sample. It also made use of statistical tools to
analyze the responses and interests of the samples.

C. General Procedure

The Research Respondents

The respondents of the study were the high school students from the Regional
Science High School –IX, Pilar College Zamboanga City, and Western Mindanao
State University. The students selected were from Grade 7 to 10. There were only 50
students which were chosen at random to fully represent the sample space intended
for the study.

Formulation of the Questionnaires

The researcher developed a self-centered questionnaire in order to collect the

necessary data in order to answer the research problems of this study. The questions

were divided into 3 sections signifying the initial views of the respondents regarding

discrimination, going deeper into their experiences regarding discrimination and the

relation of discrimination to their performance.

The questionnaires were based on the study conducted by Barnett et. al. (2005)

regarding racial discrimination in Latin countries.

ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 5

Distribution of Survey Questionnaires

The questionnaire-checklist has been administered to the 42 respondents through

online distribution within the course of one day. The purpose of the research and the

instructions on how to answer it was indicated in the short description above the

questionnaire. All instruments have then retrieved and analyze automatically as soon as

the respondents finished answering the survey. Meanwhile 8 survey sheets have been

distributed to students from Western Mindanao State University. The results were then

inputted in the online survey for automatic statistical analysis and convenience.

D. Statistical Analysis

This study used frequencies and percentage as it will help analyze the response

from the 50 sample space in accordance to their specific parameters. With the help of pie

charts and graphs, the information was quickly analyzed and the weighted mean was

computed where in it was used to find the average of the level

ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 6

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Graph 1: Results on how often the students of today are exposed to discrimination

Graph 1 shows the breakdown of the responses as indicated by the respondents in

terms of how often they are still exposed to discrimination. It shows that at least ¾ of the

population are still exposed to discrimination with 18% or 9 of the respondents being

always exposed and 20% or 10 of the respondents being exposed most of the time to the

act.

Despite these results, a good 18% say that they are rarely exposed to

discrimination while only 1% say that he/she is never exposed to such act. This can

obviously mean that discrimination is still indeed happening right now and a lot of people

are exposed to such act.

Graph 2: Results on where discrimination is usually witnessed

ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 7

Graph 2 shows the breakdown of the responses as indicated by the respondents in

terms of where they usually get to witness discrimination. At least half of the respondents

say that they witness discrimination at school. This gives a more pressing concern

because these means that more students of our age become victims of the act.

Graph 3: Results on the top 3 reasons why discrimination occurs

The graph shows that more than ¾ of the respondents believe that the top 1 reason

why discrimination occurs is because of our Physical Differences. At least 62% believe

that the top 2 reason is caused by religious beliefs and 36% have said that the top 3

reason why it occurs is because of Cultural Differences. Even up until now, religious

beliefs and cultural differences which involve traditions from way back is still a reason of

why discrimination does not cease to exist.

Table 1: Summary of the Initial Views regarding discrimination

Question Yes No

Enough protection and punishment done by the government? 6% 94%

Have you discriminated other people? 56% 42%

ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 8

Did you ever feel depressed because of discrimination? 60% 40%

Committing suicide because of discrimination? 22% 78%

Giving up on life because of discrimination? 34% 66%

Did it have a negative effect on your lifestyle/outlook in life? 46% 56%

Did it decrease your self-esteem and confidence? 81.1% 18.9%

Table 1 displays the collected data regarding the initial views of people in

discrimination. It showed that out of the 50 student’s respondents, 94% believe that the

government is not giving enough protection to students who are victims of discrimination

and is not implementing punishments for doers of the act. More than half say that they

have engaged in discrimination which shows that there is perhaps a great lack in

knowledge about the harmful effects of discrimination towards others. At least half of the

respondents have said that discrimination has affected them mentally to the point where it

decreased their self-esteem and it has caused depression. While more than half have also

said that discrimination did not affect them to the point that it would lead to suicide

attempt or giving up on life. But based from the data, a good 30% have said that it still

prompted them to commit suicide.

Table 2: Summary on getting deeper in discrimination

Question Yes No

Discriminated because of your physical appearance? 72% 28%

People made fun of you/teased you because of how you look? 76% 24%

Isolated because of your appearance? 50% 50%

Discriminated because of your religion? 26% 74%

Family or are you personally against a certain religion? 26% 74%

ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 9

Parents require you to marry a person of specific religion? 48% 52%

Do you feel isolated because of your religion? 2% (26% 72%

sometimes)

Did people ever discriminate you because of your gender? 74% 26%

Table 2 shows the collected data of the respondents views when we went deeper

into discrimination. It showed that physical appearance is the number one reason why

students these days are being discriminated. It showed that at least half of the whole

population has said that they feel isolated because of how they look. Gender and Religion

come in second as the severity of this form of discrimination is not too high.

Nevertheless, the 26% who say that they were discriminated because of their religion are

Muslims. And it is of great concern to see that 52% of the respondents say that their

parents have required them to marry a person of specific religion.

Graph 4: Interference of discrimination in performance at school

The graph shows that 46% say that discrimination has indeed interfered with their

performance at school. Half also say that it rarely or almost never interfered with their

performance. This is still a concern because half say that their performance are affected

and therefore their full potential could not be achieved.

ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 10

Graph 5: Hindrance of discrimination in studies

Just like the previous graph, half also believe that discrimination does affect their

studies while half also believe that it does not.

ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 11

CONCLUSION

Based on the date gathered, it can be concluded that discrimination is still

happening in today’s society. It can also be concluded that students are greatly affected

by it since it causes depression, a decrease in self-esteem, and motivation. This in time

might lead to suicide or dropping out from school. The researcher can say that maybe

because of its effects, students are not able to perform at their best at school. It is also of

great concern that the number one place where discrimination occurs is where students

study and learn.

It is further noticed that students also believe that the government is not providing

significant protection nor have they implemented laws to punish or prevent

discrimination. According to the data, many of the students have also engaged in

discriminatory acts. Parents may also have an influence on the discriminatory behaviors

of students because half say that their parents require them to marry a person of certain

religion.

Discrimination is still happening today and its effects are still felt by the youth

and it can greatly affect them. In time it may affect their studies as well. The study has

showed that there is indeed a lack in laws implemented by the Government. Furthermore,

it has shown that today, physical differences are the number one reason for discrimination

among students/youths. Knowing this, the Government should wake up and do something

because the youth are the hope of this country and if they are not protected, then the

chance of this country progressing is slim to none.

ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 12

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is further recommended to use more specific parameters in order to greatly

specify which factors affect which specifically since some of the parameters given this

study and the reference study focus generally on the effects of discrimination. It is

recommended that the next researcher would focus on the discrimination in terms of

physical appearance since it is the number reason for discrimination today.

ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 13

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Sample Survey – Questionnaire

Effects of Discrimination on Students

Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things,
especially on the grounds of physical appearance, race, age, or sex.

These survey seeks to help the researcher collect information regarding the study. Kindly
answer all the questions honestly. All data and information collected will be treated with utmost
confidentiality.
1. Full Name (Optional)
_____________________________
2. Gender 
a) Male
b) Female
3. Age 
a) 13
b) 14
c) 15
d) 16
e) 17
f) Above 18
4. School (Use of school's acronym can be used) 
_______________________________________
5. Religion 
a) Roman Catholic
b) Muslim
c) Protestant
d) Other: ___________
6. Do you feel that discrimination is still present in the world today?
a) Yes
b) No
7. How often are you exposed to discrimination? 
a) Always
b) Most of the time
c) Sometimes
d) Rarely
e) Never
8. Where have you witnessed discrimination? 
a) School
ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 14

b) Home
c) Streets
d) Never
e) Other: ___________
9. What are the top 3 factors that you believe cause discrimination to exist
(Please select 3). 
a) Religious Beliefs
b) Cultural Views
c) Past Experience
d) Negative Experience
e) Ignorance
f) Cultural differences
g) Peer Pressure
h) Family Views
i) Fears
j) Physical Differences
k) Racial Differences
l) Required

10. Does the government provide enough protection from and punishment for
discriminatory acts? 
a) Yes
b) No
c) Unsure
11. Have you discriminated other people? *
a) Yes
b) No
12. Did you ever feel depressed because of discrimination? 
a) Yes
b) No
13. What do you do when you witness an act of discrimination? 
a) Ignore it
b) Talk and help solve the problem
c) Join in the act of discriminating
14. Did you ever think of committing suicide because of discrimination? 
a) Yes
b) No
15. Have you ever been discriminated because of your physical appearance? 
a) Yes
b) No
16. Did people ever make fun of you/tease you because of how you look? *
ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 15

a) Yes
b) No
17. Have you ever felt like you were isolated or did not belong to the group
because of your appearance? 
a) Yes
b) No
18. Have you ever been discriminated because of your religion? 
a) Yes
b) No
19. Is your family or are you personally against a certain religion? 
a) Yes
b) No
20. Do your parents require you to marry a person of specific religion? 
a) Yes
b) No
21. Do you feel isolated because of your religion? 
a) Yes
b) Sometimes
c) No
22. Did people ever discriminate you because of your gender? 
a) Yes
b) No
23. In what form did you experience discrimination? 
a) Bullying (Physical or verbal)
b) Cyberbullying
c) Unfair treatment
d) Isolation
e) Other ________
24. Did you ever feel like giving up on life because of discrimination?
a) Yes
b) No
25. Did discrimination have a negative effect on your lifestyle/outlook in life? 
a) Yes
b) No
c) No, I am not a victim.
26. Are you studying? 
a) Yes
b) No
27. How are you doing in your studies? 
a) Very Good
b) Good
ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 16

c) Just Enough
d) Bad
28. Rate your performance in school 
1 2 3 4 5
29. Did discrimination ever interfere with your performance in school? 
a) Always
b) Sometimes
c) Rarely
d) Never
30. Did you ever lose interest in studying or going to school because of
discrimination? 
a) Yes
b) No
31. Did/does discrimination become a hindrance in your studies? 
a) Yes, I am greatly affected by it.
b) Yes, sometimes I am affected by it.
c) No, it does not affect my studies.
d) No, I am not a victim.
32. Do you think discrimination breeds violence?
a) Yes
b) No
33. Did discrimination decrease your self-esteem and confidence?
a) Yes
b) No, I am not a victim.

REFERENCE LIST
ASSESSMENT ON DISCRIMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS 17

Ayala, J., Barnett, F., Campos, E., Fernandez, T., Lopez, W., Ortega, M., … Nilmeier,

T. (2005). Discrimination and Racism Project. North Carolina, Washington.

Digital Bridge Academy. Retrieved from: https://www.cabrillo.edu/academics

/ace/pdfs/student_research_ppts/Fall%2005FA05_DiscriminationRacism.pdf

Davidio, John. (1997). ‘Aversive’ racism and the need for affirmative action: The

Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from: https://www.customessaymeister

.com/customessays/Discrimination/18114.htm

Essays, UK. (November 2013). What Are The Effects Of Discrimination On Society

Philosophy Essay. Retrieved from: http://www.ukessays.com/essays/philosophy/

what-are- the-effects-of-discrimination-on-society-philosophy-essay.php?cref=1

Essays, UK. (November 2013). What Are The Effects Of Discrimination On Society

Philosophy Essay. Retrieved from: http://www.ukessays.com/essays/philosophy/

what-are- the-effects-of-discrimination-on-society-philosophy-essay.php?cref=1