What is the 4B movement that has swept US post Donald Trump triumph?

In the wake of Donald Trump's presidency and growing concerns over women's rights, particularly abortion, a section of U.S. women have turned to South Korea’s 4B movement, choosing to "swear off men." The 4B movement, which began in South Korea around 2017-2018, advocates for radical feminism and stands against patriarchy. The term "4B" comes from four Korean words beginning with "bi," meaning "no"—bihon (no heterosexual marriage), bichulsan (no childbirth), biyeonae (no dating), and bisekseu (no heterosexual sexual relationships).

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These women, frustrated by what they perceive as increasing threats to bodily autonomy, particularly after Trump's 2022 celebration of the Supreme Court's decision to end nationwide abortion rights, have adopted these principles as a response to patriarchy and gender inequality. They refuse to engage in relationships, marriage, or childbirth with men, as a way to protest violence and inequality against women.

The movement has grown online, offering a space where women can discuss living without men and envision a future free from societal expectations. The movement's supporters argue that it is not just about rejecting men, but about reclaiming independence and autonomy, with many calling for a shift toward communities where women are recognized as individuals, rather than merely as wives or mothers.

The 4B movement's expansion to the U.S. is a direct result of growing fears over the erosion of women's rights under the current political climate.