The 4B movement started in South Korea in 2019, drawing inspiration from both the “Escape the Corset” movement and the “MeToo” movement in South Korea. However, the 4B movement focuses on four “B’s” or “no’s” in English. The movement focuses on abandoning any relationship with men: no sex (biseksue), no marriage (bihon), no dating (biyeonae) and no children with men (bichulsan). The purpose was to oppose the misogyny and effects of the patriarchy South Korean women face. 

One of the reasons why the 4B movement gained attention was a direct result of South Korea’s low fertility rate, which reached a rate of 0.72 children per woman during her lifetime, as of 2023. In comparison to the rate needed to maintain a stable population, 2.1, it is significantly lower. Thus, it has become a rising issue because the country has now reached a point where there are more individuals dying than children being born. 

In the most recent presidential election, one of the pressing issues on the ballot and deciding factor for most voters was reproductive rights. Throughout Trump’s campaign, he has held conflicting views on his stance on abortion. Vice President Kamala Harris made reproductive rights a key element of her campaign, claiming that Trump would sign a national abortion ban if he were to be elected. 

One of the most prevalent cases that led to voter decisions was the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Though Trump himself did not overturn it, he took credit for selecting the Supreme Court Justices who did it. Between denying Harris's claim on signing a national abortion ban and taking credit most voters were quick to side with Harris. 

Despite Trump’s conflicting views on abortion, he has continued to express that he is ultimately leaving the decision to the states. As a result, 21 states have abortion laws, from laws that prohibit abortions after 15 weeks to laws after six weeks. Additionally, 13 of those states have enacted total bans including the pill with no exceptions for rape or incest. 

Now, with Trump back in The White House, the 4B movement has begun to reach women in the United States. Many have proceeded to share their frustrations with the patriarchy and desire to join the movement on social media, while others have already completely sworn off any relationships with men. 

There have been previous feminist movements in the past such as the MeToo movement: a global act that fought and continues to fight against issues such as sexual abuse and child marriages. As well as the most notable; the women’s rights movement, which advocated for gender equality. However, the 4B movement is the first to abandon relations with men completely. 

Although it has now reached women in the U.S. it has promising results as in 2022, South Korea’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, “admitted that $200 billion has [had] been spent over the past 16 years” to restore the declining birth rate, however it only decreased even further. The U.S. could anticipate similar results as their fertility rate is 1.84 children born per woman as of 2024, which is already lower than the recommended rate. Now with the increased interest in the 4B movement that rate may continue to recede.