Rise of 4B: South Korean movement spreads in US after 2024 election results

In recent weeks, a surge of online discussion emerged in the US, largely driven by young women on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, who are turning to the 4B movement as a form of protest.

The renewed interest in 4B follows the aftermath of the controversial 2024 US presidential election, where many women voiced frustration over the re-election of Donald Trump, a president found liable for sexual abuse, and the appointment of conservative Supreme Court justices who played a role in overturning abortion rights.

 - What is the 4B movement? - 

The term "4B" is derived from four Korean words: bihon (no marriage), bichulsan (no childbirth), biyeonae (no dating), and bisekseu (no sex with men).

The movement started to gain traction in South Korea around 2015, as a reaction to the country’s stark gender inequality, which included issues like femicide, digital sex crimes, and a pervasive wage gap between men and women.

South Korean women have long struggled against patriarchal systems that hinder their personal and professional lives, and the 4B movement emerged as a response to this.

The movement gained momentum after a high-profile murder in 2016 when a woman was killed by a man who claimed he felt rejected by women. The tragedy sparked national conversations around the systemic violence and discrimination women face in the country.

 - Why are American women interested in 4B? -

The movement was revived in the US following the 2024 election results and the ongoing struggles surrounding gender justice.

For many young women, the 4B movement represents a rejection of patriarchal structures, fueled by anger and a desire for self-empowerment. These women, many of whom feel betrayed by a system that has allowed the re-election of a figure associated with sexist policies, have begun exploring the possibility of living without traditional relationships with men.

Ashli Pollard, a 36-year-old from St. Louis, explained her journey toward adopting a life free of men.

“I’ve realized that I’m better off without them,” she told CNN. "We’ve tried everything to please men, and they still don’t respect us. So, I’m going to live for myself."

Pollard, who hasn’t dated or had sexual relations with men since 2022, says she is focused on her own happiness and plans to have a child independently.

For many women like Pollard, the decision to embrace the principles of 4B is not about vengeance but about taking back control over their lives. The idea of living independently, free from the expectations and burdens placed on women in heterosexual relationships, has become an attractive proposition for those feeling alienated by traditional gender norms.