In a world where dating apps abound and romantic pursuits are often reduced to swipes and algorithms, the sudden rise of the 4B movement in South Korea has become a topic of both curiosity and bemusement. This movement advocates for women to completely “decouple” from men, quite literally laying out their four non-negotiables—don’t sleep with men, don’t date men, don’t have babies with men, and don’t marry men. It sounds like the makings of a terrible rom-com setting where the lead woman throws herself into a cupcake bakery instead of finding love—talk about a plot twist!
At first glance, you might wonder what exactly is driving women toward this “Men are toxic; let’s retreat” approach. A wave of disappointment seems to wash over the dating scene, where many feel that men have singularly failed to meet their expectations, leaving them feeling less like potential mates and more like disappointing side characters in a sitcom. And that brings us to the wisdom of Sigmund Freud, who once posed the timeless question, “What do women want?” My answer? Apparently, not much in the “men” department right now.
If a woman finds herself consistently disappointed while navigating the murky waters of dating, perhaps it’s time for some honest reflection. The 4B movement seems to encourage a collective epiphany—women powerfully reclaiming their time and energy while ditching the drama of dating. Think of it as striking a deal with themselves to skip the first three acts of a tragedy. And who could blame them? If every date feels like it’s sponsored by a grouchy sitcom writer, it makes perfect sense to hunker down, pay attention to self-care, and perhaps take up macrame instead.
The frank conversations among women about their dating disappointments simulate a modern-day “Wonder Woman” fighting off the invisible forces of mediocre suitors. However, as much as one might cheer for this newfound empowerment, it leaves the curious observer wondering—what do these ladies truly hope to accomplish? Are they attempting to land on the shores of emotional fulfillment or are they merely setting anchor in the sea of self-imposed solitude? After all, nothing says “I’m a modern woman” quite like a pledge to avoid men entirely while sipping herbal tea and engaging in feather-collecting hobbies.
But let’s not throw shade just yet. When one navigates through the wreckage of poor dating experiences, reaching a personal clarity can indeed be liberating. Perhaps refraining from men isn’t about declaring war on masculinity but rather embarking on a journey of self-discovery. Still, the humor in this scenario lies in the fact that those who best utilize their time outside of romantic pursuits often end up with stories that read like tragic comedies. So, here’s to the single women of the 4B movement—the brave souls raising a metaphorical glass of kombucha, attending their own parties, and announcing to the world that they don’t need a man to validate their existence… while secretly binge-watching rom-coms and dreaming of Chris Hemsworth.
In the end, while women may take time off from dating, love, and all that comes with it, the age-old truth persists: humans are social creatures by nature. Even the most determined celibates may find themselves chuckling at the absurdity of their self-imposed bans. Who knows? Perhaps they’ll come to find that navigating romantic relationships is as important to their stories as any heroic tale of independence. After all, even Batman had his moments of shadow and light, and his journey would have been far less thrilling without the occasional showdown with Catwoman!
