The 4B Movement is a feminist movement, originating in South Korea in the late 2010s.

In South Korea, this movement was a statement against the unreasonable gender pay gap, workplace discrimination, culture of misogyny and the normalisation of sexism. 

It was also a response to brutality and violence against women after a woman was brutally killed near a Seoul subway station.

This murder was the answer of a man who felt as though he was being ignored by women.

This incident sparked a nation-wide rage from women about how they were being treated.

From this, emerged the 4 words: ‘bihon, bichulsan, biyeonae and bisekseu’ (meaning no marriage, no childbirth, no dating and no sex with men), or rather, the 4Bs.

Over the years, the 4B movement in South Korea has diminished, however, after the recent election in America, it has been rediscovered and encouraged. 

With Donald Trump winning the recent presidential election, dissatisfaction has been fuelled by his policies on reproductive rights and sexist remarks.

For some American women, the 4B movement offers a way to resist these inequalities and express frustration at conservative ideologies.

Online platforms, such as TikTok, have played a significant role in spreading awareness of the movement.

The point of the 4B movement is to challenge societal and patriarchal norms by rejecting traditional roles laid out for women.

It emphasises a woman’s right to control her own body and have autonomy.

In South Korea, it was born out of a reaction to gender-based violence.

For American women, it is a sign of disappointment in the step backwards regarding women’s rights.

Will this movement succeed?

The 4B movement is seen as radical by some people.

It faced criticism and backlash from anti-feminist groups in South Korea.

It is hard to say if the same will happen in America.

The movement does not yet have enough traction, but seems to be growing in popularity.

The likelihood of its success depends on attitudes towards the values of the movement. 

The critique of societal expectations resonates with many across America, particularly amongst young women who feel as though the political landscape is regressing. 

Even though the 4B movement does not have much influence at this time, its principles could influence feminism for many years to come.