South Korean women are saying ‘no’ to men and now American women too? Thanks to Donald Trump. After Trump’s win in the U.S. Elections 2024, young American women are boycotting ‘men’ as a feminist ‘4B’ movement that is sweeping in the country.
Now, what is the 4B movement?
4B stands for 4 ‘Nos’. These include: No marriage, no childbirth, no dating and no sex. The trend initially surged in Yoon Suk Youl’s presidency, South Korea. The 4B movement is a vow to swear off men where the letter ‘B’ is a homophone for the Korean word ‘bi’ which means no. Bihon (no marriage), Bichulsan (no childbirth), Biyeonae (no dating) and Bisekseu (no sex) are the 4 Bs of this viral movement.
This movement advocates for women to refuse marriage, childbirth, romance, and sexual relationships with men, as a way of resisting patriarchal societal pressures. Women involved in the 4B Movement are challenging the conventional roles of wives and mothers, aiming to redefine their identities outside of these expectations.
The 4B Movement in South Korea is experiencing a surge due to a range of challenges faced by young women, including housing instability, digital sexual violence, economic inequality, and societal pressures. These issues reflect broader dissatisfaction among women, driving the movement as a form of protest against the established gender inequalities in the country.
Social media and online platforms have been the spaces where women could share their frustrations, critique patriarchal norms and organise protests. The 4B movement became a medium for young South Korean women to express their dissatisfaction and outrage.
The 4B Movement has gained international attention and resonated with activists in the United States. In the U.S., particularly during and after Trump's presidency, feminist activism has been sparked, and the 4B Movement has provided a new framework for resistance. For American feminists, it represents a form of protest that extends beyond economic struggles, offering a broader challenge to societal norms and patriarchal structures.
