We have a long history of romanticizing the mentor-lover . From Greek mythology (Hades and Persephone) to Victorian literature, the idea that a young woman’s entry into sexuality requires an experienced guide is a persistent, often unconscious, trope.
The industry is slowly moving away from the ancient, predatory model of the all-knowing older boy saving the passive young girl. In its place, we are seeing stories where both characters are equally lost, equally brave, and equally deserving of respect. We are seeing storylines where the real romance isn’t about possession or secrecy, but about partnership.
The problem arises not from the existence of these storylines, but from how they are framed. Is the relationship presented as aspirational, or is it questioned? It is critical to distinguish between a story about a problematic relationship and a story that romanticizes one. Here are the narrative red flags that turn a romantic storyline into a dangerous template:
These narratives, ranging from sweet coming-of-age tales in middle grade fiction to emotionally intense YA dramas, shape how millions of young readers perceive love, consent, power, and self-worth. But as society’s understanding of adolescent psychology and healthy relationships evolves, we must ask: Are these storylines timeless expressions of first love, or are they blueprints for problematic power dynamics hiding behind a veil of romance?
But the form of that romance must grow up.
Introduction: The Most Enduring, and Troubling, Trope in Fiction From Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (where Juliet is just 13) to the blockbuster Twilight saga (featuring a centuries-old vampire fixated on a high school junior), Western literature and media have a long, complicated love affair with romantic storylines involving a young girl and a boy—or, more provocatively, a young woman and an often older, more experienced male.
