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Korea's 4b 'anti-men' movement comes to America

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November 18, 2024

TLDR: A 2018 South Korean feminist movement rejecting traditional relationships spreads to America amid Donald Trump's presidency, causing young women to rebel. It pledges 'no sex, no babies, no marriage, no men'. Guests on the podcast are Chiara Brown, Commissioning Editor of The Times Luxury, and Meera Choi, Yale University Sociology Academic.

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In this episode of The Story, host Manveen Rana discusses a powerful feminist movement known as the 4B movement, which originated in South Korea and is now making waves in the United States. The conversation features insights from Chiara Brown, a commissioning editor at The Times Luxury, and Meera Choi, a sociology academic at Yale University. Here are the core themes and insights from the episode.

Background of the 4B Movement

  • The 4B movement began in South Korea in 2018 as a response to escalating misogyny and gender-based violence. It consists of four tenets:
    • No Sex with Men
    • No Dating Men
    • No Marriage
    • No Childbearing
  • This radical approach was catalyzed by a horrific incident where a woman was murdered in a public restroom, highlighting the need for women to assert their autonomy.

The Rise of Misogyny Post-Trump’s Election

  • Following Donald Trump's election in the United States, a wave of misogynistic content surged online, prompting many women to reconsider their relationships with men.
  • Influential figures, such as Nick Fuentes, expressed alarming views toward women's autonomy, resulting in a backlash from women who seek change and safety.

Connection Between U.S. and South Korea

  • The podcast discusses how the 4B movement has resonated with American women, particularly in the wake of the Trump presidency, which has been marked by actions viewed as anti-women, such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
  • The conversation portrays 4B as an emerging expression of dissatisfaction not only with misogyny but also with broader societal expectations regarding women's roles.

Meera Choi's Research

  • Meera Choi highlights her research involving interviews with over 130 women in South Korea who are part of the 4B movement. Insights include:
    • Gender Pay Gap: South Korea has one of the highest gender pay gaps among OECD countries, despite significant educational achievements by women.
    • Cultural Pressures: Women face powerful pressures from societal beauty and consumerist standards, along with expectations of subservience.

The Importance of Context

  • The episode stresses the importance of understanding the 4B movement as a contextually rooted phenomenon, whereby South Korean women's experiences of violence and inequality have sparked this social rebellion.
  • In the U.S., while rooted in similar frustrations, challenges such as differing cultural contexts and relationship dynamics complicate the implementation of a similar movement.

Impact of the 4B Movement in America

  • Interest in the 4B movement has surged in America, particularly among young women disillusioned by recent political developments.
  • Social media plays a pivotal role in amplifying the message, with Google searches for the movement spiking by over 450% after the election.

Challenges Ahead

  • Despite growing interest, participants in the podcast express skepticism about the practicality of fully committing to the 4B lifestyle. Possible challenges include:
    • Social Expectations: The complexity of relationships and the social dynamics involved make a total abandonment of heterosexual relationships difficult for many women.
    • Long-term Viability: There are concerns regarding whether such a movement can effect meaningful long-term change without engaging men in the conversation.

Historical Parallels

  • The discussion draws parallels with historical movements where women withheld their "services" as a form of protest, showcasing women’s agency throughout history.
  • Examples include the ancient Greek play Lysistrata, where women withheld sex to end a war, and more recent protests like the women’s strike in Iceland.

Conclusion

  • The 4B movement represents a significant and growing response to misogyny in both South Korea and the U.S.
  • As women grapple with systemic issues in society, the conversation highlights the potential for movements like 4B to reshape dialogues on gender equality and redefine women's empowerment.

Takeaways

  • The ongoing discussion about women's rights and their positioning in society is intensifying, especially in light of political and social challenges.
  • While the practicality of completely opting out of relationships may be debated, the movement highlights women's desires to reclaim agency and assert their needs in a patriarchal society.

This episode serves as a critical exploration of the intersectionality of gender, society, and movements rooted in historical grievances that continue to resonate today.


Engagement in these discussions is crucial as the landscape for women continues to evolve globally.

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