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?"