In the wake of Donald Trump’s recent re-election, an unexpected movement has emerged as a topic of intense discussion on social media among young, progressive women: the 4B movement.
Originating in South Korea, this movement involves women opting out of traditional relationships with men by refusing marriage, childbirth, dating and sexual relationships. Now, this movement is sparking conversations among American women grappling with the political climate and gender issues at home.
What is the 4B Movement?
The term “4B” is shorthand for four Korean words: bihon, bichulsan, biyeonae and bisekseu, translating to “no marriage, no childbirth, no dating and no sex with men.” The movement first emerged in South Korea around 2016 as an offshoot of #MeToo, responding to deep-seated gender inequalities.
In 2016, a woman was brutally killed near a subway station in Seoul, and the perpetrator reportedly said he killed her because he felt “ignored by women.” The incident prompted a national conversation on how women are treated in South Korea, including conversations around femicide, revenge porn and digital sex crimes. Nearly 10 years later, the movement has long been fueled by frustration over gender-based violence, discrimination and societal pressures. South Korea’s high wage gap, limited female representation in leadership roles and social expectations around appearance and behavior set the backdrop for the movement’s rise.
Why American Women Are Turning to 4B
While South Korea’s 4B movement faded from headlines in recent years, the U.S. presidential election has reignited interest. Many women are using 4B to express discontent with political outcomes and social dynamics, especially as they see gender issues becoming more politically charged. Some American women are even vowing to adopt elements of 4B, inspired by those who have embraced life paths free from traditional male relationships.
Over the last week, young women on Instagram and TikTok have begun to share the ideologies of the 4B movement with their friends and followers, encouraging other women to abstain from relationships with “men who do not respect them.” In fact, within the first two days after the election, there were over 500,000 search inquiries for “4B movement” on Google, becoming one of the top trending topics on the online search engine.
How Will the 4B Movement Impact America?
If we look at the impact the 4B movement has had in South Korea, the results are, frankly, controversial and polarising, but some would still call it effective, specifically when you look at South Korea’s low birth rate, which continues to decline each year. According to the New York Times, women need to have around two kids in order to keep a population steady, and during 2021 in South Korea, the birth rate was around 0.81. Some say this is a result of the 4B movement, but that can’t be fully determined.
As for the future of 4B in America, the next steps are unclear. While the movement has gained traction on social media, experts are skeptical it will become mainstream. Ju Hui Judy Han, an assistant professor in gender studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, told CNN that American interest might be short-lived, as 4B’s strict rejection of relationships with men doesn’t align with the broader views of many American women.
However, while many online posts have originated from mostly left-leaning women sharing that they are interested in participating in the 4B movement, Christian leaders are also intrigued by a movement that could be “an answer to our prayers.”
Author Lisa Bevere shared a video explaining the 4B movement to her followers on Instagram, writing, “B4 also could mean less promiscuity, STIs, & STD’s, less abortions! Is this an answer to our prayers?”
At the root of the movement is American women asking for respect and equality from the people around them. And as writer Emma Jarred shared with RELEVANT, the Church has the opportunity to show the world what that respect can and should look like.
“I want to challenge the Church to question what we believe and why,” Jarred wrote. “Is that passage of Scripture applicable to all things everywhere, or do we need to examine its context? Can I do more to help the worldwide plight of my sisters in horrific circumstances, starting with how I view the women around me? Is what I’m teaching my church going to raise up a generation of compassionate, people-loving Jesus-followers, or will it breed hurt, misunderstanding and manipulation? Where do we start? Let’s start by examining our hearts, minds and motives because enormous healing is needed here, and every little bit is one step closer to God’s Kingdom.”
