In an unusual reaction to Donald Trump’s recent victory in the U.S. presidential election, many women across social media have vowed to initiate a “sex strike” as a form of protest, expressing concern over the potential impacts of his policies on reproductive and women’s rights. This movement echoes the “4B” feminist movement that originated in South Korea in 2019, which advocates for women to abstain from heterosexual relationships to challenge gender-based power imbalances.
The “4B” movement—short for four “no’s”: no sex (bisekseu), no dating (biyeonae), no marriage (bihon), and no childbirth with men (bichulsan)—emerged in response to patriarchy and gender-based violence in South Korea. Through the movement, many South Korean women sought to establish their independence and influence societal norms, even forecasting a lower birth rate as a form of population protest. Inspired by this philosophy, American women are now adapting it in the wake of Trump’s return to office, citing fears over restrictions on reproductive rights and social protections.
On social media platforms like TikTok and X, posts shared by women echo frustration over what some view as a cultural bias against female leadership, with Trump’s defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris seen as a blow to gender equality. “This election proves now more than ever that they hate us & hate us proudly. Do not reward them,” one woman posted. Another encouraged solidarity by investing in women-owned businesses and forging relationships with other women, reframing the movement as a broader call for empowerment and mutual support.
The movement has sparked a lively online discourse. Some supporters advocate for further steps, such as collective hysterectomies, to signal autonomy over their bodies, while others are breaking up with conservative partners in response to the election’s outcome. A few women even documented actions like shaving their heads on camera, rejecting societal beauty standards.
However, many commentators argue that such a movement may not gain traction in the United States, questioning the practicality and cultural fit of a separatist movement in the Western context. Whether the 4B-inspired strike will translate to sustained social change or remain a symbolic act of defiance remains to be seen.
