May 10: Global Radical Feminism

 After our last session someone suggested to me privately that BQ might want to consider talking about social movements in other countries, not unlike our topic of having a moral basis to judge other cultures.  The person suggested we talk about a movement that is getting a lot of press in Korea called the 4B movement.  I didn't know anything about it so I did a little research, which is offered below in my usual give and take with Gemini, the Google AI I prefer.

In the questions I posed to Gemini I attempted to draw out both the surface issues involved, and also some of the underlying social, economic and demographic issues that might be fueling the debate, if not forming the base of the movements themselves.  I recall my mother's involvement in feminism in the late 1960's and early 70's which had a much milder platform of ideas and topics than those attributed to the current 4B group, but with a similar underlying goal of raising the status of women.  I only mention this because this may be a case where very different cultures share a common set of underlying values even though it may not appear to be the case.  It is all about who is in charge.  Patriarchy, matriarchy, or egalitarianism.

Well, is there a Big Question we can address that covers this broad topic?  At the bottom of the blog today is a list of definitions of patriarchy, matriarchy, egalitarianism and feminism.  Is the point of the social movements listed here the establishment of a matriarchy, or to achieve some movement towards egalitarianism?  Is the 4B movement a version of radical feminism, or something more? 

<Des>  Give me some background on the Korean 4B movement. Is this a protest by women in Korea against the traditional male-dominated society? Is there more going on here than that?

<Gemini>  You're right, the 4B movement in South Korea is a reaction to a traditional, male-dominated society, but there's more to it. Here's a breakdown:

• Core Beliefs: 4B stands for four Korean words, each starting with "bi":

  • Bihon (no marriage)
  • Bichulsan (no childbirth)
  • Biyeonae (no dating)
  • Bisekseu (no heterosexual sex)

• Origins and Purpose: The movement emerged in the mid-2010s, initially against societal pressure to marry. It gained momentum around 2018 due to a rise in spycam incidents (secretly filming women) and frustration with a patriarchal culture. Proponents see 4B as a way to:

  • Resist societal expectations placed on women
  • Live life on their own terms, free from male dominance
  • Push for broader gender equality

• Impact: It's difficult to gauge the movement's size, but it's likely in the low thousands. However, it's sparked discussions about feminism and societal pressures on women in Korea. Some argue it's also contributing to South Korea's very low birth rate.

• Nuances: The movement is considered radical feminism. It doesn't represent all Korean feminists, and some criticize its potentially exclusionary nature towards women who want relationships with men.

In short, the 4B movement is a complex response to South Korea's social structure. It's a protest against traditional gender roles, but also a call for broader societal change.

<Des> Are there similar movements in other countries, such as Japan?

<Gemini>  While there isn't a directly equivalent movement in Japan with the exact same goals and name as the 4B movement in South Korea, there are definitely movements in Japan that address similar issues of gender equality and societal pressures on women. Here's what you might find:

• Historical Context: Japan has a long history of patriarchal structures, though feminist movements have emerged since the early 20th century. Unlike Korea, Japan might not have such a recent, concentrated movement focused on boycotting marriage and relationships.

• Modern Movements: Japan does have feminist movements that address similar themes as 4B. Look into movements like:

  • Women's Liberation Movement (1960s-present)
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Movement (1980s-present)
  • #KuToo movement (2019): Opposed mandatory high heels in workplaces.

• Focus Differences: While Korean 4B focuses on boycotting marriage and relationships, Japanese movements might target specific aspects of gender inequality, like workplace discrimination or societal expectations on appearance.

Resources: It might be helpful to search for these movements online, but be mindful of using reliable sources. You can try searching for terms like "Japanese feminist movements" or "women's rights movements in Japan.

<Des>  Asian birthrates in counties like Japan, Korea, and China have been falling, with some observers saying that a looming labor shortage will result. These societies have norms that include eldest son's having responsibility for taking care of aged parents, for example, but the widespread reduction in the number of younger people being available to work and support older generations is a real concern. Can the 4B and similar movements leverage this shift in demographics to raise the status of women in these societies?

<Gemini>  It's certainly possible that the 4B movement and similar movements could leverage the demographic shift to raise the status of women in these societies. Here's why:

• Labor Shortage Bargaining Chip: As birthrates decline and the workforce shrinks, women become a more valuable part of the labor pool. This could give them leverage to negotiate for better working conditions, equal pay, and more flexibility – things movements like 4B advocate for.

• Government Incentives: Faced with a shrinking workforce, governments might be more likely to implement policies that encourage women to stay in the workforce, such as affordable childcare or parental leave for both fathers and mothers. This could help dismantle some of the traditional gender roles that hold women back.

• Shifting Family Dynamics: With fewer children per family, the traditional expectation of eldest sons taking care of parents might weaken. This could lead to a more equitable sharing of caregiving responsibilities between genders.

However, there are also challenges to consider:

• Resistance to Change: Traditional social norms and expectations can be deeply ingrained. There may be resistance to policies that empower women or redefine family structures.

• Economic Pressures: Financial insecurity can force women to stay in jobs with poor working conditions even if they want to leave.

• Focus on Numbers, Not Rights: Governments might prioritize increasing birth rates over addressing gender inequality. They could implement policies encouraging childbirth without tackling the underlying reasons women choose not to have children.

Overall, the demographic shift presents an opportunity for feminist movements to push for change. The success will depend on:

• Movement Strategy: Can they effectively connect the issue of low birth rates to the need for gender equality?
• Government Policies: Will governments address the root causes of low birth rates and create a more supportive environment for working women?
• Societal Shift: Are there broader cultural changes happening that support a more equitable future?

The 4B movement and similar movements can play a crucial role in influencing these factors.

<Des>  Define patriarchy, matriarchy, egalitarianism and feminism.

<Gemini>  Here's a breakdown of the four terms:

Patriarchy:

• A social system where men hold primary power in political, economic, and social spheres.
• Men typically hold positions of leadership in families, governments, and businesses.
• Women are often expected to take subordinate roles, like caregivers or homemakers.

Matriarchy:

• Often thought of as the opposite of patriarchy, with women holding primary power.
• However, unlike patriarchy, which is a well-documented social structure, there's little evidence of true matriarchies existing historically.
• Some societies may have strong female leadership roles, but complete female dominance is rare.

Egalitarianism:

• A social system that strives for equality between genders (and often other social groups).
• Power and decision-making are ideally shared equally, regardless of sex or gender identity.
• Egalitarianism promotes equal access to opportunities, resources, and political participation.

Feminism is a collection of ideas and movements that share a common goal: achieving political, economic, personal, and social equality of the sexes. Here's a breakdown of its key aspects:

• Equality Focus: Feminism works to dismantle systems that give advantages to one gender over another. This can include legal inequalities, social norms that limit opportunities, or economic structures that disadvantage women.
• Spectrum of Beliefs: There isn't a single, monolithic feminism. Different feminist movements and theorists have different approaches and priorities. Some might focus on legal equality (like voting rights), while others might address social issues like body image or sexual harassment.
• Challenging Patriarchy: Many feminist movements see patriarchy, the social system where men hold primary power, as a major obstacle to equality. They work to dismantle these structures and create a more equitable society.
• Beyond Gender Binary: While historically focused on women's rights, some contemporary feminism acknowledges the spectrum of genders and sexualities. It advocates for equality for everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

Here are some additional points to consider:

• Social Change: Feminism is a social movement that aims to change societal norms and institutions. It's not just about individual empowerment, but about creating a more just world for everyone.
• Ongoing Struggle: Achieving true gender equality is a complex and ongoing process. Feminist movements continue to work towards this goal in various ways, from activism and lobbying to scholarship and education.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.