What is parsing?

[Naaura]

I don't do high end content and usually avoid the talk of parsing in threads. Been bullied in several games 'casual' content for poor numbers in a parse when I even flat out told people I'm learning content/class/etc. And that just turns me off of the whole thing.

I have no problem with people using it for personal improvement, just don't talk to me about it.

I wonder what made parsing so popular in FFXIV. Surely lack of dps meters is to avoid bullying and gameplay compelling. And the increase demand in popularity is a result to off-FFXIV gamers such as WoW gamer's habits leaking into FFXIV? I hope not.
I understand the need for it, I am just concerned with the toxicity that gets generated from it :/