Realities
Is the 4B Movement Just Another Fad?
If there’s one topic that seems to be dominating the online sphere these days, it’s the Americanized version of South Korea’s 4B Movement.
I won’t rehash talking points that are usually covered about this topic, such as the origin and purpose of the 4B Movement. There are plenty of articles dedicated to those points already.
For this article, I choose to focus on the common reactions the 4B Movement in the US has gathered. I think it’s quite telling of the impact this initiative will ultimately have on society.
It’s Just Another Trend
A lot of comments I’ve read across several platforms are dismissive of the 4B Movement. Many commenters believe that it’s nothing more but a fringe movement, and only a minority of American women are participating in it.
Yet I’ve noticed that people are talking about it. They’re reacting, voicing out either support or criticism.
Women’s movements in the past have often been labeled as non-events, if not crazy. In fact, during the early days of people fighting for women’s suffrage, those who opposed the movement argued that women didn’t want to vote anyway or it’s nothing more than something fun for them to try (among other arguments that must’ve made sense back in the day but are simply ridiculous now).
But nowadays, the right to vote is a given. It’s understood that women are capable of making up their own minds.
It’s Vindictive
Some critics claim that they sympathize with the concerns of women, but they think the 4B Movement is the wrong method to address those concerns. It’s hateful, they say. It aims to punish men by withholding sex, which isn’t fair, as not all men are misogynists.
Yes, there are some women who push that agenda. Yet more women are simply taking back control over their lives by saying no.
Liberal-minded women are adamant that only they can decide for their bodies. No man is being deprived of what he is not entitled to anyway.
Men Will Have a Hard Time Finding Love
Some people argue that this will be among the 4B Movement’s impact. I have to openly disagree with this one.
Men have always had options when it comes to love and relationships. Even with the 4B Movement in the US, there are many women who have more traditional mindsets and continue to aspire to getting married and raising families.
Let’s not forget that men are also free to travel for romance. International dating has been going on for decades and continues to enjoy success.
In fact, many men who enjoy successful marriages with women from different countries are quick to point out that their “differences” are actually some of what they bonded over the most.
Is the 4B Movement Working?
If it’s about social change and any impact on the political landscape, it’s too early to tell. The rights protected by law that women enjoy now took several generations to secure.
On a personal level, though, those changes are bound to come faster, especially for the women who have chosen to join the movement.
So should people support the 4B Movement?
That should be entirely up to each individual person. Anything less would be a violation of their rights to decide for themselves how to live their lives.
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