Understanding the 4B Movement

The 4B movement, originating in South Korea in 2016, promotes a feminist agenda that calls for women to abstain from sex, marriage, and childbirth as a form of protest. This initiative gained momentum particularly after a tragic incident involving the murder of a woman by an incel at Gangnam Station, which exposed deep-seated issues of gender inequality in South Korea. The movement emphasizes the collective frustration over pervasive patriarchal norms and has sparked significant discourse, especially in light of societal events such as the election of Donald Trump. As the concept resurfaces in discussions around women's rights in the U.S., it reflects a growing global awareness of gender issues, although its effectiveness outside of Korea remains questionable.