Rion's problem in social mingling, was it because of him or his mother?

[Ann Ogochukwu]

Well, this is an easy one; Rion's social problem stemmed primarily from moving so often. Remember when his mom got him a dog, which died after three weeks, and once again, after six weeks, they moved out. A child will certainly never form deep connections with things if they are taken away so quickly.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

Character or behavior is usually as a result of a composite of different factors. That said, I believe all of them, not one contributed to his loneliness. The frequent moving didn't allow much time for making friends, and his mother's relationship with him didn't provide that outlet for the emotions he must have gone through each time they moved. So, instead of always making friends whom he was bound to lose, it was easier to be alone. Over time, it would become a habit, and eventually his nature.

When parents are distant or not showing their emotions towards their kids, the kids usually turn towards friends and peers for emotional ventilation. Rion too did not have a strong relationship with his mother, yet he did not choose to make new friends. It seems more like his introverted character that made him a lonely kid rather than the environmental factors.

[Pearl Hijabi]

Changing schools and environment frequently may be one of the reasons for Rion not having any friends. But frankly I think he's more of an introvert because I don't think a teenager would need any assistance from teachers or parents to make friends.

[Brenda Creech]

I think Rion had a hard time making friends because he was constantly having to move from school to school. When I was growing up my family moved rather frequently, causing me and my siblings to change schools frequently and it affected me with making new friends. Also, he knew he was different and didn't want others to know so he didn't even try to make friends.

[Rosefarid]

Introduction starts at least with the glance.. If Rion purposely avoid having eye contact then how could he have friends.. I felt that Rion understood he wasn't one of them and no one looked like him and that's why he couldn't mingle with anyone.. She gave birth to an Eagle and an Eagle cannot mingle with chicken.It's not his mother's fault.

[RHD]

In truth, at times our environments and upbringing affect our social lives. However, this is so only to a certain extent. In Rion's case, the line has been crossed. We cannot blame the mother. This one is totally up to him. It's his nature.

[Elendu Ekechukwu]

I don't think that one who is often moving, would bother making friends. When you move away from your friends it hurts. So to avoid such pain he dosen't bother making new friends.

[Ailakhu Yusau Aizhebiomon]

Changing of schools and the environment as a whole may be a factor responsible for Rion being a lonely fellow but a support system like his mum or teacher at school would have assisted him to gain some courage and the attitude he needed to overcome the challenge.

I don't think a teenager needs any assistance from his family or teachers to make new friends. One can be a less forward fellow, but a few days is enough to make new friends. Seemingly Rion has chosen to isolate himself by even sitting at the back corner, looking out the window, clearly refusing any contact. So others may have left him be alone, and it has made him forever alone.

An introvert if he/she get a support system like classroom teachers may understand the essence and advantage of mingling with others in an environment especially a new one. More so, it doesn't matter where he sits or not, a support system may help pull them out of their shell.

[ej_author]

I think the fact that his mother was so closed off was certainly the main reason why Rion didn't like to meet or talk to people. Rion's mother was pretty much the only constant in his life up until the start of the book, and if she didn't open up to anyone, of course Rion would follow that example growing up. It became part of who he was, too.

[mohamed benziane]

I think it's both, his mother for making him move so much he kind of established the idea that he is not gonna stay long so why bother making friends he is gonna loose in a few months and eventually miss them ND be hurt, however he can socialize with people ND have them not be his friends he can talk ND chat and meet people with out getting too attached to be sad when it's the time for him to leave

[Sushan Ekanayake]

All three could certainly play a factor but I think primarily the moving around frequently. That's tough on any kid but when combined with a naturally shy kid, particularly one holding a deep secret such as Rion, then you're definitely looking at someone who will be more withdrawn from social situations.

Rion was socially withdrawn even before he found his ability. His idle playing led him to identify that. And seemingly he was amused with that power and content to play with that when he was alone. Maybe the moving arround was a problem for his relationships, but if not for his personal shyness, I don't think it will be a big problem for a teenager to make new friends.

[Ndive Mzamo]

I think the problem lies with the new school, Tyler high school. Unfamiliar with the environment. Mother is not a problem because she was trying to protect her son. But later on he managed to befriend Danielle.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I think it all compounded into a perfect storm but ultimately I believe it is his mother’s silence and what feels like indifference at first. Rion’s inability to make friends became a choice to protect himself. He knew he would end up changing schools at some point so when he was young I think that he developed this as a coping mechanism.
His mother not being open with him ever was the inciting incident, in my opinion. Next would have been them moving from place to place.

Though Rion's mother noted his loneliness she did not try to get bonded with him or open to him. He too realized his mother's distant nature and more and more he withdrew into himself. Rion's this relationship might have been there since his childhood, and as most boys do he did not have a father to look up to or go towards when he felt lonely. Seemingly all these contributed to make him an introvert.

[Mutai Marshal]

I believe that Rion played a bigger role in his personality. Just like any other person, his mother and environment played a role in making him the person he is. To add to that, I feel Rion would have been a different person if his mother had been a more centric figure in his life.

[Deval Sodha]

I believe that changing of place and his mother's protective nature both were responsible for Rion's introvert nature. Rion had to frequently change schools so may be he found it difficult to mingle up with kids everywhere. However his mother would have explained him how to take care of himself instead of being overprotective.