Authors, editors, and experts celebrate great advances in teenage romance in terms of equality and inclusivity, but they warn about the resistance of certain abusive approaches, in a debate at the Bologna Book Fair. 

A recent revelation by Italian teacher Silvia Martelli has ignited a debate on the portrayal of love and relationships in literature popular among teenagers. Martelli, who advocates for inclusion and respect, was surprised to learn that her students were drawn to narratives that idealize traditional gender roles and romanticize unhealthy relationships. This discussion was renewed at the Children and Youth Book Fair in Bologna, where Martelli was invited to speak. Authors such as Beatriz Esteban and Nando López argue that while there have been advances in representing diverse forms of love, dysfunctional relationships are still normalized in some best-selling books. They believe literature should reflect the reality of the times, addressing important issues such as mental health, harassment, abuse, and violence. Despite the prevalence of harmful stereotypes, Martelli, Esteban, and López argue for a more critical and healthy portrayal of love in literature.