I had never heard of “4B” before. To me, it sounded like a child’s shoe size, an answer to a multiple-choice question, or a compartment in the sleeper car of an Amtrak train. But it was none of the above.

It is, in fact, a women’s movement that originated in South Korea — a feminist movement in which straight women refuse to marry, have children, date, or have sex with men. It is the ultimate payback.

It was started around 2015 or 2016, mostly involving young women in their 20s as an offshoot of #MeToo and similar feminist movements, in protest of the rampant gender inequality in their country. While the movement has splintered over the years, in part due to disagreements about the role of queer and trans women, it did help to draw attention to gender inequality in a country where women are often abused, are paid about one-third less than men, and are only minimally represented in senior and managerial positions. [Harmeet Kaur, CNN, November 9, 2024.]

And now — since the election of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States last week — there has been a surge of young liberal American women on TikTok and Instagram, discussing the South Korean 4B movement. These women say that they are furious at the majority of American men who voted for a candidate found guilty of sexual abuse, and whose Supreme Court appointees were responsible for overturning women’s abortion rights protections. [Id.]

So they’re swearing off men, and encouraging others to join in the movement. Ashli Pollard, 36, of St. Louis told CNN:

“We have pandered and begged for men’s safety and done all the things that we were supposed to, and they still hate us. So if you’re going to hate us, then we’re going to do what we want.” [Id.]

The name “4B” derives from four Korean words — bihon, bichulsan, biyeonae and bisekseu — which translate to “no marriage, no childbirth, no dating, no sex with men.” While there is no way to predict how far, or even if, it will spread in the U.S., it has already generated a good bit of online chatter among young women.

Ashli Pollard said that it has inspired her to “examine what a life looks like without centering men so deeply.” [Id.] She is able to support herself, and her future plans include having a child alone. She says it is less about revenge, and more about putting herself first; and she wants other women to realize that they have options available to them:

“You push people far enough and they’re done. How will that affect politics? We’ll see . . . but I think that women and their joy is going to be something that can’t really be overlooked anymore. Women are choosing themselves in droves.” [Id.]

Another young woman, 27-year-old Abby K., broke up with her boyfriend over some dismissive comments he made about Trump’s sexual abuse history. When she posted a video about it, and about her decision to join the 4B movement, her DMs were flooded with death threats and hateful comments from men. About that, she said:

“It doesn’t exactly entice you to re-enter the dating pool.” [Id.]

A masterpiece of understatement, Abby.

*. *. *

It’s too late to un-elect Donald Trump. Those who voted for Kamala Harris are too civilized to storm the Capitol, or run through the streets screaming “Stop the steal.” But perhaps a movement such as 4B will finally have a positive effect on the futures of women who have had enough of being treated as chattels, serving at the pleasure of their menfolk.

I wonder how Melania Trump would feel about that.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
11/10/24