Women from the United States are increasingly seeking guidance from South Korea's controversial 4B movement, following Donald Trump's victory in the 2016 presidential election.

Unapologetically Striking Back: The Explosive Growth of the 4B Movement

A groundbreaking look into the no-nonsense feminist resistance in South Korea and beyond

Author: Savvy Sinclair

Last Updated: November 8, 2024 at 10:13 AM

Reading Time: 3 minutes

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Tired of society's relentless expectation to marry, have kids, and slather on makeup? So are the women leading the 4B Movement, a revolutionary wave that's takes aim at traditional Korean ideals. This bold group is standing firm, refusing to conform – and the rest of the world is starting to take notice.

Here's the catch: It's not just happening in South Korea. The call to arms is echoing across continents and cultures, as more and more women join the movement and step out from under the burden of society's to-do list.

What is the 4B Movement, Anyway?

Quick refresher: 4B stands for four words starting with "bi" or "no" that sum up a woman's rejection of heteronormative expectations: bihon (no marriage), bichulsan (no childbirth), biyeonae (no dating), and bisekseu (no heterosexual sex).

Sounds drastic? Well, in a nation where 41.5% of women have experienced intimate partner violence, and where a woman earns 31% less than a man, it's hard to argue they deserve a pat on the back for saying no.

South Korea's president, Yoon Suk Yeol, certainly didn't. In 2022, he claimed that structural sexism doesn't exist and that feminism was to blame for South Korea's plummeting birth rate. Instead of backing off, the 4B movement gained even more momentum. The movement soared on social media, drawing millions of supporters who shared their stories of empowerment.

Why the 4B Movement Matters

The presidential criticisms only fueled the cultural clash between South Korean men and women, sparking debates about gender equality and patriarchal norms. The divide was especially pronounced during the 2022 election, with 59% of men under 30 voting for Yoon, while just 34% of women did so.

As reported by The Independent, the election results suggest that the gender gap in South Korean voting is wider than ever.

But the 4B movement's influence is far from limited to South Korea. It's resonating with women worldwide, perhaps nowhere more so than in the United States.

Following Donald Trump’s reelection, the buzz around 4B soared. Vice President Kamala Harris was defeated, and the U.S. Supreme Court had already struck down reproductive rights in a landmark 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

For many women who are saying no more to patriarchal oppression, 4B isn't extreme – it's reasonable. The movement stands as a symbol of resistance against a system that hasn't made room for women to thrive on their own terms.

In an interview with the World Political Review, a supporter explained that as long as women lack true economic power, society will continue to pressure them to bear children for the nation.

It's easy to see why the 4B movement has gained traction in the U.S. when women are facing unprecedented challenges to their reproductive rights. But it's also stirring up resistance. Across social media, women are rallying around the 4B movement’s ethos, embracing the act of saying no to patriarchal expectations.

If history has taught us anything, it's that when women come together, real change can happen. Whether it's protests, social media, or simply saying no to the status quo, it seems like the world is long overdue for a new era of resistance.

Are you ready to join the movement?

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References

[1] Park, S. (2020). A battlefield within: Counter exponential growth of feminist movements in contemporary South Korea. International Affairs Review, 22(2), 67-88.

[2] Ko, Y. (2022). The rising politics of feminism in South Korea. E-International Relations. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://www.e-ir.info/2022/06/21/the-rising-politics-of-feminism-in-south-korea/

[3] Kohmura, Y. (2021). The morphing of conservative movements: The case of the Korean anti-feminist group, Ilbe. International Journal of Korean History, 3(1), 93-125.

[4] Jin, J., & Lee, J. Y. (2020). Feeling the burn: South Korean activists challenge sexual harassment in the workplace. The Asian Journal of Women’s Studies, 26(2), 209-224.

[5] Kim, S., & Chung, M. (2023). The 4B Movement: Challenging patriarchy in South Korea. Journal of East Asian Women's Studies, 15(1), 3-25.

The 4B Movement's influence is not limited to South Korea but is resonating with women worldwide, particularly in the United States. This movement, which advocates for women's rejection of traditional Korean ideals like marriage, childbirth, dating, and heterosexual sex, gained traction following the re-election of Donald Trump in 2022. As the world grapples with challenges to women's reproductive rights, the 4B Movement stands as a symbol of resistance against patriarchal oppression.

Women from the United States are increasingly seeking guidance from South Korea's controversial 4B movement, following Donald Trump's victory in the 2016 presidential election.