The 4B Movement (“4 Non’s Movement”) is a radical feminist movement that found its origins in South Korea. Its name derives from four values that defy traditional gender norms and societal expectations: no marriage (Bihon), no childbirth (Bichulsan), no dating (Biyeonae) and no sexual relationships with men (Biseksu).
Starting as an initial response to South Korea’s patriarchal societal structures, the movement has since gained international attention, prompting discussion about its relevance in other parts of the world, particularly the United States.
While the cultural contexts of South Korea and the U.S. differ significantly, the 4B movement’s emphasis on gender norms, autonomy and self-definition find parallels in American feminist discourse.
Origins and Ideals of 4B
South Korea’s patriarchal norms are deeply ingrained in its family-centered societal structure, with Confucian values historically reinforcing gender roles. Women are expected to prioritize marriage, childbirth, and caregiving, often at the expense of their own ambitions.
However, the economic and social transformations of the 21st century have exacerbated the tensions between traditional expectations and modern aspirations. High rates of workplace discrimination, harassment, and unequal division of domestic labor have led many South Korean women to question these societal norms.
A 2023 survey conducted by the Embrain Public found that “45.1% of women reported hearing sexist remarks from colleagues and 44.8% felt unfairly tasked with duties like preparing coffee. These numbers were over three times higher than those reported by men. Furthermore, 28.7% of women reported receiving inappropriate comments about their physical appearance, compared to only 10.1% of men.”
For these reasons, the 4B Movement emerged as a radical response. By rejecting marriage, dating, childbirth and sex with men, its advocates seek to free themselves from the obligations imposed by patriarchal structures. While the movement does not universally reject men, it critiques the ways in which relationships with men often perpetuate inequality.
Feminism in the United States
Feminist movements in the United States share certain goals with the 4B Movement, particularly the emphasis on dismantling patriarchal systems and expanding upon women’s autonomy. From the suffrage movement of the early 20th century to the second-wave feminism of the 1960s and 1970s, the U.S. has had a continued history of feminist advocacy.
Recently, movements like #MeToo have highlighted systemic sexism and gender-based violence in the U.S., reiterating critiques raised by the 4B Movement. Moreover, the concept of “radical self-love” is one of the common themes found in third and fourth-wave feminism that align with some of the 4B principles.
Third-wave feminism emerged in the 1990s and centered around embracing individualism. The term “third-wave” was coined by Anita Hill, whose televised testimony in 1991 called out her harasser.
“To be a feminist is to integrate an ideology of equality and female empowerment into the very fiber of my life,” Hill said. “It is to search for personal clarity in the midst of systemic destruction, to join in sisterhood with women when of-ten we are divided, to understand power structures with the intention of challenging them… I am not a postfeminist feminist. I am the Third Wave.”
Additionally, fourth-wave feminism began around the early 2010s with a focus on the empowerment of women and the use of the internet to amplify activism. This wave’s emphasis on body positivity and challenging societal standards mirrors the principles of radical self-love. With this in mind, however, the U.S. feminist landscape is less unified around the kinds of categorical rejections supported by the 4B Movement.
One of the biggest differences lies in the cultural and economic context. South Korea’s collectivist culture and emphasis on family make the 4B Movement’s refusal of marriage and childbirth particularly radical.
In contrast, American society places a higher value on individualism, and there is less of a stigmatism to remain unmarried or child-free. However, other barriers such as workplace discrimination, the wage gap and inadequate parental leave policies mean that American women are still facing significant challenges in achieving actual gender equality.
Critiques
The 4B Movement has sparked controversy in both South Korea and the U.S., with critics arguing that its principles are too extreme and risk alienating potential allies who might otherwise support feminist goals.
For instance, discussions on platforms like Reddit highlight concerns that the movement’s strategies may inadvertently punish cisgender male allies, thereby hindering broader feminist solidarity.
Additionally, the movement’s rejection of romantic and sexual relationships with men can be interpreted as exclusionary, potentially reducing its appeal to women who do not wish to abandon those aspects of their lives.
In the United States, parallel critiques have been leveled at radical feminist groups that highlight self-government or challenge traditional family structures. Mainstream feminism in the U.S. often seeks to engage men as allies and focuses on systemic reforms rather than individual lifestyle choices.
This distinction stresses a potential cultural conflict: while the 4B Movement’s radical stance reflects the specific challenges faced by South Korean women, American feminism tends to emphasize inclusivity and building upon alliances.
The Future of Feminism
Despite all of these differences, the 4B Movement’s underlying message of autonomy and resistance to patriarchal norms resonates globally. Within the U.S., there has been a growing interest in movements that prioritize self-definition and challenge societal expectations that suggest areas of potential overlap.
For example, younger generations are increasingly rejecting the once traditional markers of success, such as marriage, in favor of a lifestyle that offers personal fulfillment and independence.
“Women around the world are getting married later and part of that is because women are getting more educated and investing in their careers,” gender psychology lecturer Clarissa Sawyer said, noting a boost in the ratio of college-educated women to college-educated men. “They’ve invested a lot of time and money into college, so they’re getting a job and delaying marriage — if not opting out completely.”
The rise of online feminist communities also enables a cross-cultural exchange, prompting American feminists to learn from and adapt certain principles of the 4B Movement. This highlights the importance of global solidarity in addressing shared challenges, such as economic inequality and reproductive rights.
In Conclusion
The 4B Movement represents a bold and uncompromising examination of patriarchal systems, offering a radical vision of autonomy for women in South Korea.
While its principles may not directly translate to the United States, the movement’s emphasis on challenging societal norms and prioritizing individual agency finds echoes in American feminist discourse. By raising dialogue between movements with differing cultural contexts, feminists worldwide can work together to create a more inclusive future.
