Image via the Midwood Argus
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The rise of South Korea’s 4B movement—an online feminist movement rejecting marriage, childbirth, dating, and sex with men—has sparked conversations globally, especially in the United States, where debates about gender roles, personal autonomy, and family structures are front and center. In South Korea, the 4B movement was born out of a reaction to deeply ingrained patriarchal norms, particularly as women grappled with rigid societal expectations, gender violence, and restrictive economic roles. The movement advocates for women to reject those traditional roles in relationships and family. The four principles, each beginning with the Korean prefix “bi” (meaning “no”), include bihon, bichulsan, biyeonae, and bisekseu, i.e. the refusal of (heterosexual) marriage, childbirth, romance, and sexual relationships.
Originating in the 2010s on a South Korean feminist website, the movement aligns with digital feminist movements that advocate for women’s autonomy, building on previous campaigns such as South Korea’s “Escape the Corset,” which critiques beauty standards, as well as the #MeToo movement. In the nine years leading up to 2018, at least 824 women in South Korea had been killed due to intimate partner violence, and 602 women were put at risk of death. From a financial perspective, men in South Korea earn 31.2% more than women, the worst gender pay gap out of all the countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Additionally, the president of South Korea, often referred to as South Korea’s Donald Trump, proposed to eliminate the country’s Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in 2022. As young Korean women increasingly reject social pressures to marry or have children, their choice reflects a broader social discontent with deeply rooted expectations for women, leading some to assert their independence by opting out of traditional relationships entirely.
Both South Korea and the United States face systemic economic challenges that affect family dynamics, from high living costs to job insecurity. These pressures make traditional family structures less viable for many young adults who seek more personal freedom and economic stability. In this context, the 4B movement’s emphasis on rejecting relationships and marriage can be seen as a refusal to compromise economic autonomy for the demands of a patriarchal system—a sentiment that resonates with many American women facing similar pressures, including pay inequity and insufficient parental leave policies.
Source: Al Jazeera
The U.S., like South Korea, faces a challenging political landscape on issues including bodily autonomy and the role of women outside traditional family constructs. Debates over topics such as reproductive rights and wage equity often fall along party lines.
At a time when U.S. reproductive rights are heavily contested, the 4B movement serves as a symbol of broader autonomy. In light of Donald Trump’s election win, a man with sexual abuse allegations who elected most of the Supreme Court Justices that overturned Roe v. Wade, the spike in interest in the 4B movement is warranted. Beyond this, U.S. conservatives have consistently supported policies that encourage marriage and family as stabilizing social structures. At the same time, many progressives assert that true autonomy includes the freedom to reject these paths without state interference. This contrast highlights a cultural and political divide, where younger generations resist state influence over personal decisions in both South Korea and the United States. South Korea’s record-low birth rate amid 4B’s rise—and the U.S. fertility rate, which has also declined—illustrates a broader trend where younger people prioritize independence over societal expectations to have children, challenging policy goals that emphasize family structure and population growth.
The 4B movement has gained significant traction among women across the United States, specifically in the week after the election. Although the margins were not extreme, around 55% of men and 45% of women voted for Donald Trump, with 53% of women and 42% of men voting for Kamala Harris. The difference here between male and female voters who voted for each candidate is notable, with many women expressing concerns that men and women alike voted for a candidate who does not respect women’s bodily autonomy.
This post-election surge in 4B discussions illustrates how Trump’s win has ignited further interest in feminist movements, particularly among women who feel that the political climate is increasingly dismissive of gender equity and autonomy. Many in the movement argue that withdrawing from traditional relationships with men symbolizes a form of resistance, reflecting discontent with systemic issues that they believe Trump’s platform has perpetuated.
While the 4B movement is often misinterpreted as anti-men, its focus is fundamentally on challenging structural inequalities rather than individual men, aiming to empower women to seek fulfillment outside of conventional family roles. It offers a striking example of how feminist ideology is evolving worldwide, thus influencing U.S. feminism and its political discourse on autonomy and gender equality.
In the U.S., the 4B movement provides a critical lens for examining how personal choice intersects with national political priorities. The movement’s growing influence signals a generational shift toward a more individualistic approach to feminism, challenging politicians to recognize that family-oriented policies may not align with the values of younger voters. In essence, South Korea’s 4B movement encapsulates the core feminist demand for autonomy and choice, resonating deeply within the current U.S. political climate. As both societies grapple with changing norms, the 4B movement offers a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of women’s voices when they prioritize self-determination over societal expectations.
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This article was edited by Mary Hannah Gallagher.
