Over the past 24 hours, Democrats in the United States have been coming to terms with the results of the presidential election, where Donald Trump won over Kamala Harris. This victory has left many feeling concerned as it seems to align with Trump’s values that are seen as anti-women, anti-diversity, and anti-truth. This has sparked worry in blue states and has led to a call to action, especially from women, to continue fighting for their rights and reproductive freedoms.
The recent surge of concern, anger, and energy among women and their allies in the U.S. has led many to explore a new side of TikTok where South Korean women, who have faced disrespect from the patriarchy, have chosen to reject men entirely. This movement, known as the 4B movement, is a niche form of Korean feminism where followers vow to abide by the four “no’s”: no sex, no dating men, no marriage to men, and no children.
The 4B movement originated in the late 2010s in response to the increasing violence against women and gender equality issues in South Korea. The movement gained momentum as women around the world faced similar challenges, such as the #MeToo movement in the U.S. Women have been protesting against sexual assault and violence, and have taken to social media to reject toxic male ideologies by making statements like cutting their hair, destroying makeup products, and refusing to dress for the male gaze.
The participants of the 4B movement are mainly millennials and Gen Zers who are exposed to social media content promoting the 4B philosophy and who resonate with its principles. The movement’s name, 4B, comes from the Korean word for “no,” as the followers commit to saying no to sex, dating, marriage, and children with men.
The 4B movement has gained traction in the U.S. due to concerns about Trump’s policies that threaten women’s rights, including overturning Roe v. Wade and restricting access to abortion and birth control. Trump’s administration has also been criticized for neglecting issues like climate change, prioritizing the wealthy, and not protecting marginalized communities. As a result, some women are wary of men who support Trump and are choosing to distance themselves from the male population.
Conservative men, both in South Korea and the U.S., have expressed anger towards the 4B movement. In South Korea, some have linked the declining birth rate to radical feminist movements like 4B. It remains to be seen how far the movement will progress and what impact it will have in the future.
