a word used by antis and gatekeepers in
fandom to describe a fictional pairing (or even just a character) that they do not personally like. often used as an excuse to attack and gaslight shippers (people who do like the paring) and other fans.
some reasons for things being "problematic" are that they are considered abusive, the characters are/were enemies, one is a villain, there is a large age gap, there is a
small age gap, the relationship is incestuous, the relationship *seems* incestuous,
one character is a
minor, both characters are minors, the anti does not like the
ship personally, the relationship is gay and loved by women fans, the relationship is straight...the list goes on.
Anti: "you shouldn't
ship reylo, it's very problematic."
Shipper: "i really shouldn't indulge you, but how?"
Anti: "it's abusive because they're enemies and kylo ren is a
fascist. also rey is
child-coded and they are cousins."
Shipper: "uh...what?"
