Online talk of the South Korean 4B movement has gained attraction in the US after some American women shared their frustration with President-elect Donald Trump’s victory. Misogynistic sentiments expressed by some men have increased on several social media sites, and American women are calling for a detachment from men.
The 4B movement, or the 4 No's (bi means “not” in Korean), calls for the refusal of dating men (biyeonae), having sexual relationships with men (bisekseu), heterosexual marriage (bihon) and childbirth (bichulsan), per NPR.
In the past decade, several high-profile incidents fuelled the rise of 4B such as the 2016 murder of a 23-year-old woman in a public bathroom in Seoul’s central Gangnam Station, which the perpetrator later said he did because “women have always ignored me.” This prompted South Korean women to come together and post sticky notes all over the station talking about their own stories.
Interest in the movement surged in America after the 2024 Presidential Election with Google searches spiking and the hashtag taking off on social media platforms like Tiktok and X.
“I believe this is a completely reasonable response for American women, especially when you consider the fact that a lot of our autonomy has already been restricted by the government. It’s a good way for women to regain control of their bodies and lives, given the circumstances we are in,” said Camille Birt, a third-year psychology major.
On X, some women have declared “It’s time to close off your wombs to males. This election proves now more than ever that they hate us & hate us proudly,” and on Tiktok, one poster said, “If men won't respect our bodies, they don't get access to our bodies.”
Many far-right men are doubling down on their stances about women’s bodily autonomy. Nicholas Fuentes, a white nationalist, Holocaust denier, and attendee at Trump’s dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort in 2022 posted on X, “Your body, my choice. Forever,” as the results favored Trump on Election Night. The post has since gotten over 50,000 likes and over 7,000 reposts.
“[Trump] got away with sexual assault, rape, and all sorts of other crimes against women, so it vindicates these men and makes them feel like it’s ok to do and say these things,” said Phaedra Hyche, a third-year political science major, who states that she doesn’t feel safe and that it’s disconcerting to hear and terrifying to think about someone having more control over her body than she does.
Jon Miller, who describes himself as a moderate and “fair & balanced political commentator” recently posted to X, “women threatening sex strikes like LMAO as if you have a say.” The post has gained over 20,000 likes and 1,000 reposts sparking backlash that prompted a community note clarifying that sex without consent is rape, per NPR.
“[Men] don’t realize that saying this makes it much less likely that women will want to interact with them, which will make them commit violent acts against women, and then they’ll turn around and blame us and say all sorts of crazy things,” said Hyche.
Whether or not the movement will actually take off long-term in America, some students have low expectations.
“In all honesty I would love for the movement to be implemented, but when you consider the normalcy of the consumerist mindset of many Americans it might end up as a short trend or a New Year’s resolution,” said Birt.
Others share their beliefs on whether American women can rally together as one.
“It’s very difficult to get a large number of Americans to rally behind one singular issue, especially one that’s action isn’t necessarily broadcasted or public. I also feel we as Americans aren’t disciplined in patriarchal decentralization,” said Auriana Perry, a second-year political science major on the pre-law track.
Despite doubts that 4B will take off in America, what’s to come in the future for women’s safety and rights remains hopeful for many students.
“Women will have to come together across racial and economic stratus to create any real change. I think that there will have to be mass movements, mass protests, all in support of women being able to live freely and authentically without the threat of violence,” Hyche.
Kommentarer