Why Are Some US Women Swearing Off Men?

In the wake of Donald Trump's re-election, a South Korean feminist movement called 4B has gained attention among young American women. The movement encourages women to refuse marriage, children, dating, and sex with men. This interest surged after many men voted for Trump, who has a history of sexual abuse allegations and supported conservative justices who overturned national abortion rights. Ashli Pollard, a 36-year-old from St. Louis, explained her feelings: “We’ve tried to please men, but they still dislike us. So, if they hate us, we'll do what we want. ” The 4B movement, which stands for ‘no marriage, no childbirth, no dating, and no sex with men, ’ started in South Korea around 2015. It grew from the #MeToo movement and responded to gender inequality in the country. The movement gained traction after a woman was brutally killed in Seoul, sparking conversations about femicide, revenge porn, and digital sex crimes. South Korea has significant gender disparities, with women earning about one-third less than men and being underrepresented in senior roles. The 4B movement has seen a resurgence in the US due to the election. Women are discussing and sharing information about it on TikTok and Instagram. Some have decided to join, while others plan to protest in different ways, like boycotting male-owned businesses. Pollard learned about the movement a few years ago and hasn’t dated or slept with men since 2022. She believes women have other options and hopes they realize their worth. Alexa Vargas, a 26-year-old from Boston, also stopped engaging with men after abusive relationships. She discovered the 4B movement this year and sees it as a way to protect young women. However, some are skeptical. Ju Hui Judy Han, an assistant professor at UCLA, questions if 4B will become mainstream in the US, given its reliance on the gender binary and the fact that many women voted for Trump. Others like Hadia Khanani worry about further isolating men and urge women to examine their role in patriarchy. Despite skepticism, those involved hope the 4B movement will lead women to rethink their circumstances and build solidarity. Han predicts American interest will fade, but she hopes it helps women see they’re not alone in their struggles.