Patriarchy appears to be everywhere. Even outer space and the future have been colonized. As a rule, even the more imaginative science-fiction writers (allegedly the most foretelling futurists) cannot/will not create a space and time in which women get far beyond the role of space stewardess.

In this quote, Mary Daly, a feminist philosopher and scholar, critiques the pervasive nature of patriarchy and its influence on both the present and future. She highlights how even outer space and imagined future worlds in science fiction are shaped by patriarchal values, where women are often confined to secondary roles. Daly’s statement suggests that patriarchy is so deeply ingrained in society that it extends even into the realms of imagination and speculative thought, limiting the portrayal of women in positions of true power or autonomy.

Daly points out that, despite the creativity of science-fiction writers, the future they often envision still reflects traditional gender roles. Even the most imaginative and forward-thinking futurists, she argues, fail to break free from the restrictions of patriarchy, portraying women primarily in roles like space stewardesses rather than as leaders, pioneers, or equal participants in the new frontiers of space and time. This reflects a lack of progress in how women are imagined to be capable of more than the roles historically assigned to them.

The quote also addresses the limitations of mainstream science fiction, which Daly suggests fails to envision women in truly empowered roles in the future. The absence of women in positions of power or as influential figures in these imagined futures reveals how deeply patriarchal assumptions are embedded in societal views, even in narratives that are supposed to break from traditional norms.

Ultimately, Daly’s words challenge the dominant narrative in science fiction and other cultural portrayals of the future, urging a reimagining of a world where women are not confined by historical gender norms. Her critique calls for a future where women are given the agency and roles they deserve, not just as secondary characters or ornamental figures, but as active, empowered participants in shaping society.