Following the 2024 U.S. presidential elections, the ripple effects from Donald Trump's comeback have sparked many reactions across the globe, one of the most notable being the emergence of the "4B Movement". This movement, which originated from South Korea, has gained international recognition as women express their outrage over political circumstances, especially concerning reproductive rights.
The 4B movement is based on four tenets, characterized by the Korean words for "no": bihon (no marriage), bichulsan (no childbirth), biyeonae (no dating), and bisekseu (no sex). The core idea encourages women to disengage completely from relationships with men—a radical response not just to personal choices, but to broader societal issues.
The 4B movement has seen increasing relevance since Trump's re-election, with many American women sharing their intentions to join its ranks. Discussions on media platforms have highlighted sentiments such as, "It's time we join the movement. Men will NOT be rewarded, nor have access to our bodies." The movement is not merely inciting social commentary but manifesting itself through practical actions like women pledging not to date or have relationships with men who supported Trump.
Interestingly, the surge of interest in the 4B movement coincides with the sharp rise of public interest following significant legal and political changes surrounding women's rights, primarily the issue of abortion. Trump's active support for states to limit abortion access has sparked fear among women across the United States. According to various social media analyses, interest searches for the term "4B" surged by 450% immediately after the elections.
This spike indicates more than mere curiosity; it suggests many women are exploring radical options to assert their autonomy. With TikTok videos showcasing women breaking up with their Republican partners or sharing personal commitments to the 4B movement, the platform is serving to echo the sentiments of many feeling threatened by the current political climate.
Gender studies experts, such as Shin Kyung-ah from Hallym University, have noted the broader societal dynamics at play. The 4B movement's impact has been described as "positive and fascinating", as American women look to learn from the struggles of their Korean peers. The movement's rise has invoked historical contexts where women, faced with patriarchal structures, have banded together to advocate for their rights.
South Korean women have long faced societal pressure to conform to traditional roles of marriage and motherhood. Their frustration peaked around the 2016 murder of a woman near Gangnam Station, which ignited nationwide protests against gender violence and misogyny. Despite improvements like higher educational enrollment—where women outpaced men since 2005—the employment gap and wage disparity still loom large, forcing many women to reconsider life paths.
From its beginnings, analysts suggest the movement emerged as a resistance to the discrimination women face, including the highest gender wage gap among OECD countries, where women earned 31.2% less than men as of 2022. The disillusionment with conventional life choices led many to declare their autonomy through the 4B doctrine.
Post-election reactions have not just been confined to social media. Feminists have initiated campaigns urging women to rethink their relationships with conservative men, pushing the narrative of refusing to engage with anyone who disregards women's rights. One campaign boldly suggested women should leave their "moronic, right wing husband[s]." This plea echoes through many modern discourses linking personal choices with political realities.
What's more, the long-standing issues related to misogyny and violence against women have reached fever pitch as the availability of reproductive health services is threatened. Given Trump's history with accusations of sexual misconduct—with 26 women publicly accusing him—many women perceive the current atmosphere as hazardous. It's no wonder why the idea of total disengagement feels like empowerment for some.
This same atmosphere has cultivated provocative movements like the "Make Aqua Tofana Great Again" (MATGA), where some women jokingly suggest poisoning men. Although it paints an extreme picture, it reflects the sentiments of fear and resistance arising from political climates perceived as hostile toward women's rights and security.
The spirit of the 4B movement is autonomous—it thrives without structure, relying instead on individuals across social media to advocate and share experiences. While some may argue the permanence of such decisions might not materialize, the dialogue around women asserting their rights continues to grow.
The 4B movement, ignited by the current political climate and underscored by years of fighting against systemic misogyny, presents women with options outside of traditional societal roles. This global resurgence of feminism and female empowerment invites significant examination not just of personal relationships, but of broader gender dynamics, as women seize their voices and reject the status quo.
