Following Donald Trump’s recent election victory, some American women are taking a dramatic stand against what they view as a troubling political outcome. This movement, inspired by South Korea’s 4B Movement, has seen women pledging to boycott relationships, marriage, sex, and even children with men, with some protesters going so far as to shave their heads in symbolic protest.
The election, held on November 5, saw Trump reclaim the presidency, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s return to power, following his controversial first term, sparked a wave of frustration and concern, especially among women who feel threatened by his stance on women’s rights, including his longstanding efforts to overturn Roe v. Wade.
What is the 4B Movement? The 4B Movement, originating in South Korea, began as a response to rising concerns over women’s safety and systemic sexism. It promotes the principles of “no dating, no marriage, no sex, and no children with men.” The movement gained traction after a woman was murdered for rejecting a man’s advances. Following this, South Korean women voiced outrage against societal expectations and pressures, calling for a collective rejection of traditional relationships to regain control over their lives.
American Women Adopt 4B Movement Ideals Now, many American women are adopting similar sentiments, taking to social media to express frustration over Trump’s re-election and its implications for women’s rights. One New York woman posted a video of herself shaving her head, urging others to “stop dating, talking to, or having relationships with men.” She explained this decision as a means of rejecting societal pressures and protesting against a political climate she believes is harmful to women.
Across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), women are using hashtags and rallying cries to urge others to abstain from dating men. Some posts argue that taking such drastic measures could be an impactful way to highlight concerns over political power shifts affecting women’s rights. One user encouraged women to “learn from Korean women” and adopt 4B principles as a statement against male-dominated policies, with others fearing Trump might enact more restrictive measures against women.
Mixed Reactions from the Public While supporters of the movement see it as a way to take control, many Trump supporters are responding with mockery and criticism. Some argue that the protest is misguided, while others celebrate what they see as an expression of political independence among women on both sides.
Amid this backdrop, Trump’s victory has left many women wary of what his second term might mean for issues like reproductive rights, as some activists brace for potential changes to laws governing women’s autonomy.
