Arlon and Liliana - Love in The Midst of Family Feud

Socialising Arlon

Arlon's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Florian, had been persistent in their efforts to encourage their teenage son to socialise more. They believed that greater social interaction would help him conform to what they considered "normal," but Arlon saw things differently. He valued his alone time and found solace in his thoughts and hobbies. Arlon believed that society's definition of "normal" was subjective, and he saw no reason to change who he was just to fit in. He felt content being true to himself, even if it meant going against his parents' wishes.

One evening, as Arlon sat in his room, he received a text message from his father. "Arlon, it's time for you to start socialising more with boys your age."

Arlon felt a pang of frustration. He had been spending a lot of time with Liliana and her female friends, Penny, Evelyn, Sandra, and Ella. To him, these girls were not just friends; they were his confidantes, his support system, and the people who had embraced him for who he was, autism and all. He couldn't imagine his life without them. It pained him to think that his father did not understand the depth of his relationships with these girls. Arlon had always struggled to connect with boys his age, feeling out of place and misunderstood. But with Liliana and her friends, he had found a sense of belonging and acceptance that he had never experienced before. And he wasn't willing to give that up, even if it meant going against his parents' wishes.

He replied to his father's message, "Dad, I am socialising. I spend time with Liliana and her friends all the time."

Mr. Florian's response was swift and critical. "Arlon, those are girls. You need to hang out with boys your age. They're the ones who will understand you and help you grow into a responsible young man. It's important to have male friends who can relate to your experiences and guide you through life. Trust me, son, it will make a difference in the long run."

Arlon, feeling frustrated and misunderstood, replied to his father's message, "But Dad, Liliana and her friends accept me for who I am. They understand me better than anyone else does. It's not about gender, it's about the genuine connections I have with them. I believe that true friendship transcends gender stereotypes."

His father, taken aback by Arlon's response, replied, "Son, I appreciate that Liliana and her friends have been there for you. But you also need male friends who can provide a different perspective. They can offer guidance and support in ways that your female friends may not be able to."

Arlon thought for a moment before replying, "I understand where you're coming from, Dad. But I believe that true friendship is based on understanding and acceptance, regardless of gender. I value the diverse perspectives and experiences that both my male and female friends bring to my life."

His father sighed softly before responding, "I hear what you're saying, son. It's just that as a father, I want to make sure you have a strong support system that includes both male and female figures who can provide different types of guidance and advice. It's important to have a well-rounded network of friends who can offer different perspectives on life's challenges and help you navigate through them."

Arlon was taken aback by his father's insistence on gender and age-based socialisation. He knew that his parents wanted what they believed was best for him, but he also believed that his friendships with Liliana and her friends were valuable. He had always felt comfortable around them, sharing his thoughts and dreams without judgment. They had supported him through thick and thin, and he couldn't imagine his life without them. Arlon couldn't help but feel frustrated by his father's narrow-mindedness, unable to comprehend why gender and age should dictate his friendships. He was determined to prove his father wrong and show him that true understanding and companionship transcended societal norms.

"Dad," Arlon typed, "Liliana and the others are my age, and they understand me better than anyone. They accept me for who I am, autism and all. I value their support and friendship immensely. Just because they are female doesn't mean our bond is any less meaningful or genuine. It enriches my life to have diverse perspectives and experiences in my inner circle. Gender should never be a barrier when it comes to forming deep connections with others."