Growing dissatisfaction and resentment with lacking male activism and attacks on reproductive rights are leading Western women to consider alternative methods of activism, including most recently the South Korean ‘4B movement’. However, the exclusionary nature and negative connotations of this movement have not been adequately examined.
In the aftermath of Trump’s shock election win, many women are feeling a sense of betrayal and resentment towards male voters. Men of every age cohort were more likely to vote for Trump than Harris, and women of every age cohort were more likely to vote in favour of Harris. This gender split has provoked resentment and anger among many American women, especially in the context of continued attacks on women’s reproductive rights.
The Supreme Court’s 2022 overturn of the constitutional right for abortion established in Roe vs Wade (1973) has since resulted in restricted access to abortion and other forms of reproductive care in many states. Abortion is now banned under almost all circumstances in states such as Alabama, Arkansas and Louisiana. Additionally in Texas, private citizens can sue abortion providers and those who assist patients seeking an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. It has not escaped notice that four out of five justices who voted to overturn Roe were male, including Clarence Thomas, who encouraged the court to reconsider all rulings related to contraception and sex.
“…gender split has provoked resentment and anger among many American women, especially in the context of continued attacks on women’s reproductive rights.”
It is in this context that American women have turned towards the 4B movement. So where did it come from? The movement originated in South Korea and is based off four principles, each beginning with B: bihon (no marriage), bichulsan (no childbirth) , biyeonae (no dating) and bisekseu (no sex). The movement emerged as part of a greater tide of South Korean feminism intended to tackle ongoing discrimination against women (most recently in the form of spycams recording women without their consent, and deepfake pornography.) Feminism is often met with backlash in South Korea, with the 4B movement viewed as particularly radical. Many men believe that women, rather than facing pay inequality and other discrimination, simply do not contribute the same efforts as them.
Whilst Western interest in the 4B movement peaks, it is important to be critical of its’ origins. Western-centric perceptions of the movement lack cultural nuance, and also tend to characterize the movement incorrectly. The 4B movement is undeniably fringe rather than mainstream in Korea, and few women publicly identify with it. It also excludes pregnant women, mothers or women in established relationships. The movement shares similarities with the idea of a sex strike, a strategy with questionable effectiveness in developed countries.
Additionally, the movement has been criticised for being homophobic and transphobic. Some critics argue that the movement focuses too much on childbirth as a source of fulfilment for women, whilst others argue that the movement is gender essentialist. Gender essentialism equates gender and sex, arguing that women and men are born with innate characteristics related to their biology rather than being culturally determined. Essentialism can also homogenise groups, such as gay people, negating their individual differences.
“Western-centric perceptions of the movement lack cultural nuance, and also tend to characterize the movement incorrectly.”
As a result, the 4B movement can be seen as a form of exclusionary feminism rather than one that embraces all women. At a time where trans-exclusionary radical feminist (TERF) movements are already threatening to co-opt women’s rights’ movements, women should look towards more inclusive moments that strive for universal progress. Intersectional feminism recognises how overlapping social categories impact and shape a person’s experiences and the oppression they face, and can therefore be used as a far more effective pathway in achieving fair social policy and political change.
The 4B movement is not our saviour
Growing dissatisfaction and resentment with lacking male activism and attacks on reproductive rights are leading Western women to consider alternative methods of activism, including most recently the South Korean ‘4B movement’. However, the exclusionary nature and negative connotations of this movement have not been adequately examined.
In the aftermath of Trump’s shock election win, many women are feeling a sense of betrayal and resentment towards male voters. Men of every age cohort were more likely to vote for Trump than Harris, and women of every age cohort were more likely to vote in favour of Harris. This gender split has provoked resentment and anger among many American women, especially in the context of continued attacks on women’s reproductive rights.
The Supreme Court’s 2022 overturn of the constitutional right for abortion established in Roe vs Wade (1973) has since resulted in restricted access to abortion and other forms of reproductive care in many states. Abortion is now banned under almost all circumstances in states such as Alabama, Arkansas and Louisiana. Additionally in Texas, private citizens can sue abortion providers and those who assist patients seeking an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. It has not escaped notice that four out of five justices who voted to overturn Roe were male, including Clarence Thomas, who encouraged the court to reconsider all rulings related to contraception and sex.
It is in this context that American women have turned towards the 4B movement. So where did it come from? The movement originated in South Korea and is based off four principles, each beginning with B: bihon (no marriage), bichulsan (no childbirth) , biyeonae (no dating) and bisekseu (no sex). The movement emerged as part of a greater tide of South Korean feminism intended to tackle ongoing discrimination against women (most recently in the form of spycams recording women without their consent, and deepfake pornography.) Feminism is often met with backlash in South Korea, with the 4B movement viewed as particularly radical. Many men believe that women, rather than facing pay inequality and other discrimination, simply do not contribute the same efforts as them.
Whilst Western interest in the 4B movement peaks, it is important to be critical of its’ origins. Western-centric perceptions of the movement lack cultural nuance, and also tend to characterize the movement incorrectly. The 4B movement is undeniably fringe rather than mainstream in Korea, and few women publicly identify with it. It also excludes pregnant women, mothers or women in established relationships. The movement shares similarities with the idea of a sex strike, a strategy with questionable effectiveness in developed countries.
Additionally, the movement has been criticised for being homophobic and transphobic. Some critics argue that the movement focuses too much on childbirth as a source of fulfilment for women, whilst others argue that the movement is gender essentialist. Gender essentialism equates gender and sex, arguing that women and men are born with innate characteristics related to their biology rather than being culturally determined. Essentialism can also homogenise groups, such as gay people, negating their individual differences.
As a result, the 4B movement can be seen as a form of exclusionary feminism rather than one that embraces all women. At a time where trans-exclusionary radical feminist (TERF) movements are already threatening to co-opt women’s rights’ movements, women should look towards more inclusive moments that strive for universal progress. Intersectional feminism recognises how overlapping social categories impact and shape a person’s experiences and the oppression they face, and can therefore be used as a far more effective pathway in achieving fair social policy and political change.
gemmagradwell
political/current affairs contributor
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