Following Donald Trump’s election victory, a South Korean feminist movement called the “4B Movement” is resonating with American women on TikTok. The movement’s principles, which include rejecting dating, marriage, sex and childbirth with men, have sparked conversations about gender dynamics in the U.S. amid concerns about women’s rights.
Inspired by years of activism in South Korea, the “4B Movement” — shorthand for the “Four Nos” — advocates for complete independence from men as a protest against societal expectations.
Since Trump’s 2024 victory, many women in the U.S. have adopted these ideals. Many cite a sense of solidarity and frustration with what they see as setbacks to women’s rights under his leadership.
On TikTok, hashtags like #4BMovement and #4BNos have gathered millions of views. Many women are sharing their personal stories and decisions to “opt-out” of relationships with men.
Influential users whose videos on the topic have gone viral, say the movement provides a sense of control in an environment where they feel their rights are increasingly under threat.
The “4B Movement” emerged in South Korea as a reaction to social issues such as the country’s gender wage gap, high rates of workplace harassment and limited protections for women. In recent years, it has influenced everything from birth rates to marriage trends. Advocates say opting out of traditional roles is a form of resistance to gender inequality.
Critics of the movement argue that it could deepen social divisions. They’ve called it an “extreme response” that risks fueling a so-called “gender war.”
Yet for supporters, the decision to join 4B isn’t simply a TikTok trend, it’s a call for meaningful change and a rejection of societal pressures.
While it’s unclear if the 4B Movement will have lasting effects in the U.S., it’s clear the ideas it represents are resonating with many women post-election. As more women turn to social media to share their views, the movement’s popularity shows no signs of slowing down.
