Following Donald Trump‘s victory in the presidential election, some American women are considering adopting the 4b movement.
In the wake of Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory, a noticeable wave of American women has taken to social media to express frustration, anger, and, increasingly, a determination to reject traditional relationships with men.
Many have embraced a South Korean feminist movement known as ‘4B,’ which has gained significant traction on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Originating in South Korea in the 2010s, 4B challenges conventional gender roles and offers a radical rethinking of relationships with men – a stance that resonates with many American women who feel marginalized by the nation’s recent political shifts.
The 4B movement emerged in South Korea against a backdrop of escalating violence against women, gender discrimination, and systemic inequality.
In 2016, the brutal murder of a young woman near a Seoul subway station sparked national outrage and discussions around gender violence.
This incident, along with the broader global impact of #MeToo, brought the movement to the forefront, particularly among young women who felt marginalized by South Korea’s deeply ingrained patriarchy.
Many South Korean women used 4B as a rallying point to reject traditional expectations by forgoing dating, marriage, childbirth, and sexual relationships with men.
The movement’s principles are encapsulated in the four ‘B’s,’ each representing a ‘no’ in Korean: ‘bihon’ (no marriage), ‘bichulsan’ (no childbirth), ‘biyeonae’ (no dating men), and ‘bisekseu’ (no sex with men).
It emphasizes the refusal of personal relationships that reinforce patriarchal structures, creating a space for women to prioritize self-empowerment.
While 4B began as a grassroots movement, it quickly gained traction through online platforms, drawing global attention to South Korea’s gender inequality.
Figures like Jung Se-young, a 4B YouTuber, voiced the frustrations of many women, saying to Reuters: “Marriage is the root cause of patriarchy in South Korea.”
In recent years, the movement has grown to include additional actions, such as rejecting beauty standards and boycotting products like cosmetics that cater to men’s preferences.
In China, the movement has morphed into ‘6B4T’ to address similar concerns, though the government has censored its visibility due to its critique of societal norms.
Following the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, the struggle over reproductive rights became a highly politicized issue in the U.S., with many American women identifying Trump’s anti-abortion stance as a serious infringement on their autonomy.
Trump’s re-election in 2024 was perceived by some women as a reinforcement of patriarchal values, leading them to consider 4B’s radical approach.
Posts urging American women to embrace the 4B philosophy have spread quickly, garnering millions of views and sparking conversations about gender dynamics in the U.S.
One viral TikTok post declared: “Doing my part as an American woman by breaking up with my Republican boyfriend and adopting the 4B movement.”
Some women, like St. Louis-based Ashli Pollard, have spoken candidly about their frustration.
Pollard, a 36-year-old, stated to CNN: “We have pandered and begged for men’s safety… and they still hate us. So if you’re going to hate us, then we’re going to do what we want.”
Pollard’s view echoes the sentiments of many who feel that traditional gender expectations no longer serve them.
Similarly, Boston resident Alexa Vargas shared that her experiences in abusive relationships led her to stop dating men entirely, long before she learned of 4B.
While many American women are now exploring what life could look like without prioritizing relationships with men, experts are skeptical about whether 4B will gain substantial traction in the U.S.
Ju Hui Judy Han, an assistant professor of gender studies at UCLA, notes that 4B was largely a response to specific cultural conditions in South Korea, where a rigid gender binary has enforced traditional roles for decades.
In Han’s opinion, “It’s not a very widespread movement, but the sentiments behind it I think a lot of people empathize with.”
She acknowledges that while American interest in 4B may fade, the movement underscores the universal struggles women face against patriarchal systems.
Divergent opinions have emerged regarding the sustainability of 4B in the U.S., particularly given the complex gender dynamics within the country.
While 4B advocates a sharp rejection of male-dominated institutions, critics argue that real change requires engagement with men rather than isolation.
Some women have opted for a less drastic approach, expressing solidarity with the movement’s values while continuing to seek relationships, albeit on their own terms.
Others, like 24-year-old Hadia Khanani, feel that while the movement raises valid points, it risks oversimplifying deep-seated societal issues.
Despite questions about its long-term appeal in the U.S., 4B has sparked valuable discussions. It invites women to reconsider their relationships, roles, and responsibilities and highlights a collective yearning for autonomy.
For many, 4B represents not just a rejection of traditional gender roles, but an assertion of self-worth and empowerment.
@rabbitsandtea Cat lady era activated #4b #4bmovement ♬ USAAAAAAAAAAAAAA – Lawn
