'I'll let no man touch me' Korean movement against misogyny sparks US interest
The Guardian|November 09, 2024
McKenna, who is 24 and lives in a rural, conservative state, recently got back on dating apps after a year of finding herself. She had two first dates planned for this weekend, but after Donald Trump won the election, she cancelled both.
Alaina Demopoulos

"It's heartbreaking to know that in this country you only matter if you're a straight white man," she said. "It's just devastating that we're at this point. So I will not let another man touch me until I have my rights back."

McKenna, who did not want her last name published for privacy reasons, first heard about 4B a few months ago, via a TikTok video referring to the South Korean social movement. The basic idea: women swear off heterosexual marriage, dating, sex and childbirth in protest against institutionalised misogyny and abuse. (It is called 4B in reference to these four specific no-nos.) The mostly online movement began around the 2018 protests against revenge porn and grew into South Korea's #MeToo-esque feminist wave.

In the wake of Trump's victory, 4B is once again on McKenna's mind - and she's not the only one. Trump's embrace of manosphere figures such as Joe Rogan, the Nelk Boys and Adin Ross means he has strong support among their disciples - mainly, young men. But for young women, the former president's long history of misogyny means a vote for Trump is a vote against feminism, especially with reproductive rights as a key issue in 2024.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE GUARDIANView all
Keep pledge on Britons held abroad, Lammy told
The Guardian

Keep pledge on Britons held abroad, Lammy told

Families of prominent British prisoners detained abroad have urged the foreign secretary to deliver on pledges to help secure their release amid signs of growing resistance from diplomats.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 25, 2024
Online brutality How grim genre is affecting young people
The Guardian

Online brutality How grim genre is affecting young people

It took about 90 seconds for Rianna Montaque to see violence on her X account: a fight in a restaurant that escalated into a full-on brawl with chairs smashed over heads as bodies went sprawling.

time-read
1 min  |
November 25, 2024
Sleightholme soars as England end series on high
The Guardian

Sleightholme soars as England end series on high

A disappointing calendar year for England has at least ended with a flurry of nine tries and a healthier looking outcome.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 25, 2024
'We are going to suffer' Amorim warns United after fast start fizzles out
The Guardian

'We are going to suffer' Amorim warns United after fast start fizzles out

Ruben Amorim said Manchester United will have to \"suffer for a long period\" before their fortunes turn after his first game in charge ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw at Ipswich.

time-read
1 min  |
November 25, 2024
Leicester sack Cooper after five months in charge
The Guardian

Leicester sack Cooper after five months in charge

Leicester City sacked Steve Cooper as manager yesterday after just five months in charge.

time-read
1 min  |
November 25, 2024
Guardiola admits he must 'find a way' to win again
The Guardian

Guardiola admits he must 'find a way' to win again

Pep Guardiola is defiant that he will end Manchester City's five-match losing sequence, with the manager stating it is \"my responsibility\" to do so.

time-read
1 min  |
November 25, 2024
This joyless incoherence will utterly destroy any illusions
The Guardian

This joyless incoherence will utterly destroy any illusions

Amorim already knows the scale of the job. And the scale is: really very big indeed

time-read
3 mins  |
November 25, 2024
Amorim gets taste of reality as Ipswich rally
The Guardian

Amorim gets taste of reality as Ipswich rally

It was plainly too good to be true. Or to last. There were 82 seconds on the stadium clock when the Ruben Amorim era at Manchester United was jumpstarted.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 25, 2024
Dibling lights up bewildering day when goals were low points
The Guardian

Dibling lights up bewildering day when goals were low points

For all that most people would have considered the result an inevitability, there was little that was predictable about this game.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 25, 2024
The Guardian

Steady Slot 'We're definitely not getting carried away'

Arne Slot insisted Liverpool will not get carried away after soaring eight points clear of Manchester City, warning his players that Arsenal surrendered the same advantage last year.

time-read
1 min  |
November 25, 2024