The South Korean 4B movement, which has gained traction in recent years, has seen a significant spike in interest in the United States following the results of the 2024 presidential election. On November 6, former President Donald Trump claimed victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, marking a contentious and divisive race. While the election results stirred a variety of reactions across the country, many American women found themselves increasingly disillusioned, especially after Trump’s victory solidified his stance against reproductive rights, a cornerstone issue for many in the election.
Amid the heightened political climate, women on social media began to reference the 4B movement, a South Korean feminist initiative that challenges traditional patriarchal systems. “American women, looks like it’s time to get influenced by Korea’s 4B movement,” one Twitter user wrote, with others similarly advocating for American women to adopt the same stance. The timing of this sudden wave of interest is not coincidental: it follows a period of growing anxiety regarding women’s rights in the United States, particularly around the potential rollback of reproductive freedoms. As the 4B movement focuses on rejecting the traditional norms around gender roles and relationships, it has become a powerful symbol for those feeling the pressures of a patriarchal society.
The 4B movement, which started in 2019 in South Korea, aims to challenge the deeply ingrained patriarchal structure by promoting abstention from four key aspects of heterosexual relationships: bihon (no marriage), bichulsan (no childbirth), bygone (no dating), and diseases (no heterosexual sex). The movement’s supporters see these aspects of traditional society as forces that perpetuate gender inequality, and by disengaging from them, they believe women can gain autonomy and control over their lives. This perspective resonates strongly with many women, particularly in countries like South Korea, where gender inequality continues to be a significant issue.
The South Korean gender pay gap, the highest among democratic nations, highlights the ongoing struggle for equality in the country. Women in South Korea earn 31% less than men, and an alarming number of women are victims of intimate partner violence. A 2018 report indicated that 824 women were killed, and 602 others were at risk of death due to domestic violence, with intimate partners being responsible for a large percentage of these cases. A study from 2021 revealed that one in three South Korean women have experienced domestic violence. For many women within the 4B movement, these stark realities are enough to encourage a complete rejection of traditional romantic relationships.
Yeowon, a 24-year-old native from Busan who practices bihon, spoke to The Cut about her decision to disengage from the traditional dating system. “Practicing bihon means you’re eliminating the risks that come from heterosexual marriage or dating,” she explained. For Yeowon and many others, the 4B movement provides an alternative to a system that they feel continuously disenfranchises them.
While the 4B movement remains largely anonymous and offline, its rising influence can be attributed to several societal factors. In South Korea, women’s increasing educational achievements are central to this shift. Since 2013, Korean women have outpaced men in college enrollment, and today, nearly three-fourths of South Korean women pursue higher education compared to less than two-thirds of men. This growing educational disparity has led to tension between men and women, with men becoming increasingly vocal about their frustrations in the form of negative stereotypes against educated women. Feminist scholar Euisol Jeong noted how some men have labeled women with higher education as “selfish, vain, and exploitative.”
This tension between men and women is not unique to South Korea. It mirrors similar trends in the United States, where men, feeling threatened by changing gender roles, have found solace in conservative political candidates who promise a return to traditional values. Trump’s rise in popularity, despite ongoing legal issues and controversies, signals a desire for many men to hold on to old patriarchal systems, often at the expense of women’s autonomy. As anthropologist Treena Orchard noted, masculinity is “in flux,” and many men feel that their traditional roles are being undermined in a rapidly changing world.
In light of this, it is not surprising that the 4B movement has resonated with many American women. The victory of Trump, with his anti-reproductive rights stance, has led many women to reassess their roles in society. The surge in interest in the 4B movement from U.S. women reflects a broader frustration with the rollback of women’s rights and freedoms, particularly in light of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. For many women, this marks a critical juncture, where their fight for autonomy feels under siege.
As the 4B movement gains attention on social media, there is speculation that American women may rally around it as a form of protest against a second Trump term. The question arises whether this movement will inspire American women to take similar actions or create their own version of resistance. The growing online discussions about the 4B movement suggest that women in the U.S. are exploring new ways to resist a political climate they view as increasingly hostile to their rights.
For women in South Korea, the 4B movement has become more than just a protest—it is a declaration of autonomy, a refusal to participate in a system that has historically oppressed them. In a world where women are still fighting for equal pay, protection from violence, and control over their bodies, the 4B movement offers a radical solution. It’s a movement grounded in solidarity and mutual support among women who share the same goal: to reclaim their autonomy and create a future where they are no longer subject to patriarchal control.
As the 4B movement gains traction beyond South Korea, it serves as a reminder that women around the world are united in their struggle for equality. Whether or not the movement takes hold in the United States remains to be seen, but the resonance it has already found demonstrates that the issues of gender inequality and women’s rights transcend borders. In the face of political turmoil and conservative pushback, movements like 4B remind us that women are continuously finding ways to resist and reclaim their voices, their bodies, and their futures.
The 2024 U.S. election has sparked a renewed sense of urgency among American women who see the fight for reproductive rights and gender equality as far from over. As the 4B movement gains attention, it underscores a growing sense of solidarity among women globally, pointing to a future where women are no longer passive participants in a system that continues to favor patriarchal values. Whether through the 4B movement or new forms of resistance, it is clear that women around the world are not backing down.