How Patriarchal Dynamics Created the 4B Movement
The phrase “we’re all connected” has never been more true and the current state of society is a direct reflection of that. To the surprise of many, the toxic dynamics of the Patriarchy have been brought to the forefront and women all over the world have started to pull away from a rigid system of patriarchy that was never built to serve them in the first place.
Groups of women in Korea have come together in solidarity to express their dismay for the way patriarchal standards have negatively impacted the women in their communities. The movement is called the 4B movement and each “B” in the movement stands for a specific area of interest women will no longer be partaking in.
Bihon (marriage)
Bichulsan (childbirth)
Biyeonae (romance)
Bisekseu (sexual relationships)
The women in Korea have decided to set a boundary with the men in their community due to blatant crimes against women that have gone unchecked by authorities and peers. As a result, Korea has seen a significant decline in birth rate, and currently has the lowest birth rate in the world.
What does this have to do with women in the United States you might ask? Women in the states have started taking note of the 4B movement and have begain to follow suit. Not only has the 4B movement opened the floor for an honest discussion about how women have been abused by men and unprotected by the system, but it’s also created a dialogue around how patriarchal expectations have impacted queer women.
PHOTO: Freepik
The point being made is that women have been brainwashed into thinking it’s normal to have a slight disdain for men. For some women, that particular disdain comes from the way men have treated women throughout history into present day. For others, the disdain comes from deep rooted queerness that has not been validated or acknowledged because of societal expectations.
Now to be clear, queer woman aren’t typically just walking around with a disdain for straight men. But overall, there are a number of queer women who have said that before they came out they were in relationships with men out of obligation and they thought the “ick” they had with men was the norm, even when the guy was a good partner.
With that being said, if women feel less pressured to operate under the guise of patriarchal dynamics and heteronormativity, they may have more time to get to know themselves and figure out what makes them happy in a genuine sense.
Patriarchy affects EVERYONE, even men. It discourages them from expressing emotions, exploring their sexuality, and from holding themselves accountable for less than savory behaviors that the patriarchy has decides is ok. Patriarchy is a loss for everyone.
As the 4B movement continues on, we’re left to wonder what the overall impact will be long term. Will society have more respect for women now that the world has been reminded of who is capable of physically carrying a human life? Only time will tell. Cheers to the 4B movement and to women taking their power back.
