Ashli Pollard has decided she’s finished with dating men. Following Donald Trump’s election, she is not alone; many women share this sentiment.

The 36-year-old entrepreneur has been part of the 4B movement for two years. This initiative began in South Korea as a response to misogyny and sexism. It has four core tenets: women should abstain from dating men, marrying men, having sex with men, and giving birth.

In light of the 2024 presidential election, where abortion emerged as a key issue for voters, some women are promoting the movement online to rally support in the U.S. They are advocating against Trump and Republicans, who generally impose stricter abortion regulations compared to Democrats.

Pollard, however, joined the 4B movement not for political reasons but because she finds happiness in being single. Yet, she notes that the movement is resonating with liberal women frustrated by those who endorse policies they see as threatening their rights.

“Many women feel neglected by the government in various aspects of their lives. We witness events like Brock Turner getting leniency and Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation. And we see Trump as president,” says Pollard. “Over time, women start to recognize these patterns and cultural moments, feeling completely disregarded.”

The 4B movement stirs debate for various reasons. Political issues, especially those related to gender like abortion, do not strictly align with gender identity. Many women oppose abortion, while a significant number of men support it. Likewise, both men and women participated in voting for Trump and Kamala Harris. Moreover, experts in mental health and relationships advise against directing political frustrations toward one’s partner—what if they share your concerns and values?

For Pollard and others, the 4B movement encapsulates something more significant.

“Someone commented with an excellent analogy: ‘If you had a bowl of Skittles and were told one was poisonous, would you spend hours examining to find it? No, you’d dump it out and walk away,’ ” Pollard shares. “That’s the essence of the 4B movement.”

Understanding the Growing 4B Movement Post-Trump

The “4B” movement derives its name from four Korean words beginning with ‘b’: bihon (heterosexual marriage), bichulsan (childbirth), biyeonae (dating), and bisekseu (sex). To join, women must forgo all four with men.

On social media, 4B has attracted attention among women dissatisfied with the election outcome. “We can’t let them win… it’s time to fight back,” one user posted, which amassed 470K likes. Another urged, “If they want control over our bodies, don’t just give in until they listen; then they’ll panic,” while another encouraged solidarity among women.

One user emphasized that the movement isn’t solely about avoiding men but also about fostering support: “Build connections with women, support women-run businesses, and engage with women-focused media; immerse yourself in women’s culture.”

Pollard, who creates TikTok videos explaining her reasons for not dating men, has noticed a surge in content related to the 4B movement since the election.

“I saw multiple videos in quick succession of young women declaring that we need to initiate the 4B movement here and now,” she recounts. “Today marks the start of 4B. It’s time; men don’t have our interests at heart, and we shouldn’t have theirs either.”

Despite the enthusiasm, mental health and relationship professionals view the 4B movement with skepticism as a reaction to Trump’s election. They assert that while everyone is entitled to protest in their own way, entirely shunning dating and relationships seems misguided.

Amy Chan, a dating coach and author of “Breakup Bootcamp: The Science of Rewiring Your Heart,” acknowledges a potential positive outcome in the discourse surrounding 4B, as it might inspire women to pursue self-improvement and reflect on the values they seek in a partner.

However, she cautions against promoting the idea of cutting off romantic relationships as a political statement, calling it ultimately self-destructive.

“Severing ties with romantic relationships or intimacy to penalize men or the political climate is counter-productive,” she explains. “Furthermore, assuming all men are problematic because of some harmful individuals only perpetuates a negative narrative that doesn’t foster a better society.”

The Future of Dating After the 4B Movement

It’s uncertain whether the 4B movement will significantly influence dating trends in America. However, the discussions it has sparked may indicate new dating dynamics in the coming years.

Psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis suggests that the divisive election may prompt singles to reflect on their core values and identify non-negotiable boundaries in relationships.

“Alignment in values is crucial,” she states. “Without it, bridging gaps can be challenging.”

Chan believes the 4B movement may encourage individuals to assert their needs and desires in romantic relationships.

“While the extremes of joining the 4B movement may not be the solution,” she says, “those seeking long-term, committed relationships might benefit from establishing clear standards that reject ambiguity and transient arrangements.”

We might be seeing a move from casual flings to more meaningful dating that emphasizes emotional ties and compatibility.

Pollard mentions she’s faced criticism for her TikToks but has also received encouragement. Some of this support, she notes, comes from men who have privately contacted her, expressing the need to better advocate for women among their peers.

She clarifies that her intention with these videos isn’t to dictate how every woman should approach sex, dating, or marriage. Instead, she aims to empower women by showing them they have choices and that it’s perfectly fine to be single if that’s what makes them happy.

“During my dating experiences, I found that many men echoed the concerns my married female friends voiced about their unsatisfactory marriages. My friends tell stories about having to take care of their husbands’ needs, being cautious about their feelings, or avoiding discussions about their political views,” she explains.

She emphasizes that not wanting to date is her individual choice, and it’s one that other women, regardless of their political beliefs, can also make.

“Marriage isn’t my purpose as a woman,” she states. “I’m capable of many beautiful things. There are countless meaningful relationships that I can pursue.”