4B First: Prioritizing the Path to Women’s Freedom

4B First: Prioritizing the Path to Women’s Freedom

It’s common in radical feminist spaces to see debates over the everyday practices that society expects of women—whether it’s wearing makeup, shaving, or dressing in ways that are traditionally appealing to men. These discussions are valuable and necessary, as they highlight the many subtle ways in which patriarchal control over women’s bodies manifests. However, we believe in 4B First: the idea that leaving men behind is the most crucial and impactful first step in reclaiming female autonomy.

Beauty Rituals vs. Relationships with Men

There is no question that certain beauty standards—makeup, body hair removal, and dressing for male validation—are important feminist topics to discuss. These practices reinforce the notion that women’s value lies in their appearance and their appeal to men. But while these discussions are necessary, they should not overshadow the larger issue at hand: relationships with men.

If a woman has discarded every harmful beauty ritual but remains in a relationship or lives with a man, she is not truly free. The emotional, psychological, and physical constraints that come from living with or depending on men often overshadow the more superficial ways that women’s lives are constrained by patriarchal norms. In fact, leaving men behind—refusing to date, marry, or live with them—is a far simpler and more effective path toward personal liberation.

Prioritizing the 4B Movement: No Dating, No Sex, No Marriage, No Childbirth

The 4B Movement (biyeonae, bisekseu, bihon, and bichulsan in Korean) originated in South Korea, where radical feminist women rejected dating, sex, marriage, and childbirth as a response to the deeply entrenched misogyny in society. This rejection of patriarchal relationships was seen as an essential step toward true freedom for women. The same principle applies globally. Whether a woman is deeply invested in radical feminist ideologies or still grappling with certain beauty norms, leaving men is the easiest and most impactful first step toward true autonomy.

Freedom from Men Equals Freedom from Patriarchy

There’s a simple truth: a liberal feminist who chooses separatism—who leaves men behind—will be far better off than a radical feminist who clings to the idea that relationships with men are necessary or even desirable. This isn’t to say that radical feminist principles aren’t important—they are the foundation that led to the development of 4B. Radical feminism provides the framework to critique patriarchy, beauty standards, and male dominance, and 4B embodies the action of leaving those systems behind. But we need to focus on what is actionable and achievable for women, and leaving men—no dating, no marriage, no sex—is an immediate and liberating step that will transform their lives in ways that rejecting makeup alone cannot.

A Realistic Path Forward: 4B Before All

While it’s unfortunate that some women may still feel societal pressures to wear makeup or conform to beauty standards at work or in social settings, the biggest shift they can make is choosing to stop engaging with men romantically. Relationships with men—whether dating, marriage, or having children—place far greater burdens on women’s mental health, physical safety, and emotional well-being than societal beauty standards ever could. By leaving men behind, women free themselves from the constant expectation to serve, sacrifice, and accommodate male needs.

Whether a woman identifies as a liberal feminist or a radical feminist, the truth remains the same: leaving men is the most powerful decision she can make to claim her own freedom. 4B should be the first priority for any woman looking to liberate herself from patriarchal constraints. Once that step is taken, other aspects of feminist liberation will follow naturally, as the power men hold over her life begins to dissipate. ♀