Q. My son, who is 13, tells me that he does not want friends. He has plenty of teens who like him, but he tells me that he doesn’t want to put in the effort of maintaining friendships. He has never been one of the popular kids, but until COVID-19, he liked hanging out with some other kids. He isn’t into video games so won’t even join online, and he hates sports. Any advice?

“Every child and every person on earth has experienced the Covid Virus,” panelist Mike Daniels said, opening the discussion.

“When Covid hit, it probably was a good excuse for the boy to transition into being by himself. When he was 12-years-old, he was learning about friendships and trying to decide who he wanted to hang out with. He could have experienced kids arguing and fighting, beginning to figure they don’ know how to communicate,” said Daniels.

“There are a wide range of personalities,” panelist Joanne Raftas said. “The mother seems to enjoy socializing very much, but the child doesn’t have the same values as the mother, and he doesn’t have to have the same values.

“Trying to force mom’s values on the son causes such problems for the child,” Raftas continued. “It is still his personality and it is normal behavior for a 13-year-old.”

“I agree that the behavior may be normal,” panelist Chad Ztefanyak said, but added that the mother may be “pushing.”

Panelist Wanda Mercado-Arroyo said, “Mom might want to change this approach because she wants her son to be social, but she needs to be respectful of his position. The son in turn needs to assure his mom that he is OK.”

“We actually don’t know if the boy is OK. We have so few details,” said Raftas. “If they are concerned, the parents should go to a pediatrician.’

This week’s panel: Pam Wallace, program coordinator, Project Child, a program of Valley Youth House; Denise Continenza, extension educator; Joanne Raftas, Northampton Community College, independent counselor; Chad Stefanyak, school counselor; Mike Daniels, LCSW. and Wanda Mercado-Arroyo, former teacher and school administrator.

Have a question? Email: projectchild@projectchildlv.org

The Family Project is a collaboration of the Lehigh Valley Press Focus section and Valley Youth House’s Project Child.

The Times News, Inc., and affiliates (Lehigh Valley Press) do not endorse or recommend any medical products, processes, or services or provide medical advice. The views of the columnist and column do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Lehigh Valley Press. The article content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, or other qualified health-care provider, with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.