The Next Best Thing

Many of our teenagers are unaware of terms such as gay, gender fluid and coming out. It is crucial that they acquaint themselves with these; specifically the ones whose cases fall under the aforementioned labels.

Yes. Those of you who are bullied because of your sexuality, eccentricity, and because you don't fit in, your conditions have names. You're normal, each and everyone of you, and shouldn't be ashamed of who you are.

Coming out  means embracing your sexuality, verbally, whether you believe yourself to be — from the inside — a boy or a girl, despite being born the opposite. You choose what you feel; not what you were born as.

Being gay means feeling the opposite of what you're supposed to feel as a boy or as a girl.

Gender fluids are rather rare.

Jeff Garvin's "The Symptoms of Being Human" is a wonderful depiction of what gender fluids are. It's a must read for even non-related teens. The author, through his fiction, creates a reality that might as well be a solution for all teenage problems.

Here's why Symptoms of Being Human is a must-read:

1. It Encourages Blogging and Journaling. 

Riley Cavanaugh, the gender fluid over whom the novel is centralized, is advised by her therapist that she needs to express her pent-up feelings through blogging. She evades doing this, you'll read in the very first chapter, at first. But, not too many chapters away, she writes her first post. And eventually, her blog-cum-diary goes viral. Letting your emotions out by journaling and personal blogging is a healthy activity. Not only will it be a creative adventure, but it will also help you out with your problems. By keep a journal and blogging, you can keep track of things and gain worldly advice, respectively.

And, for free.

2. It Highlights the Effectiveness of Support Groups and Communities. 

The "Q" is where Bec leads Riley. Which is actually an LGBTQ support group. Garvin writes rather creatively here, making the members of the said support group appear endlessly friendly and warm. The descriptions of the proceedings there and of the characters that Riley observes assert how in reality, such support groups are identical; specially when it comes to unconditional love, helping out and being family to all of its members.

It doesn't have to be an LGBTQ group, only, out there. There are book clubs and gatherings for sports and all sorts of other hobbies. It does one good to join these communities, make friends, share one's problems and get advice, and learn and contribute.

3. It Condemns Bullying. 

Riley ends up being sexually assaulted near the end of the book. At first, she cowers and doesn't talk to the police, no matter how hard her friends and family coax her. But, later, she does. She let's the police know of her assaulter and he gets taken into police custody. This condemns bullying and teaches the readers that bullying can be stopped; that bullies aren't invincible. They might seem so in your moment of vulnerability, when you're being bullied. But, no. Riley speaks for herself and it ends up in justice being served.

This is just what our teenagers need to learn, lest they should cower their entire lives; never standing for themselves.

4. It's Funny. 

The book might get a little depressing for the ones who're too used to being bullied or are of a less steely resolve. It centers around a confused, hurting teen. Of course, it will. No worries! Characters like Bec, Solo, Kanada, Riley's dad, and Riley herself provide comical relief to the readers.

Almost every successful book has jokes in it. Jeff Garvin made sure his masterpiece did, too.

5. It's an Inspiring Story of Success. 

Riley goes through too much emotional trauma. This negative aspect is basically Garvin pulling her back on a bow, while she is the arrow. And when he release his grip, Riley goes flying into the sky. It's a perfect portrayal of how determination, hard work, and believing in yourself gets you places.

So? What's stopping you from reading it? Go!