Feminist science fiction

Feminist science fiction is a subgenre of science fiction (abbreviated "SF") focused on such feminist themes as: gender inequality, sexuality, race, economics, reproduction, and environment.[1] Feminist SF is political because of its tendency to critique the dominant culture. Some of the most notable feminist science fiction works have illustrated these themes using utopias to explore a society in which gender differences or gender power imbalances do not exist, or dystopias to explore worlds in which gender inequalities are intensified, thus asserting a need for feminist work to continue.[2][3]

Science fiction and fantasy serve as important vehicles for feminist thought, particularly as bridges between theory and practice. No other genres so actively invite representations of the ultimate goals of feminism: worlds free of sexism, worlds in which women's contributions (to science) are recognized and valued, worlds that explore the diversity of women's desire and sexuality, and worlds that move beyond gender.

— Elyce Rae Helford[4]
  1. ^ Vakoch, Douglas A., ed. (2021). Ecofeminist Science Fiction: International Perspectives on Gender, Ecology, and Literature. London: Routledge. ISBN 9780367716417.
  2. ^ Helford, Elyce Rae (2005), "Feminism", in Westfahl, Gary (ed.), The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy: themes, works and wonders, Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, pp. 289–291, ISBN 9780313329531. Preview.
  3. ^ Vakoch, Douglas A., ed. (2021). Dystopias and Utopias on Earth and Beyond: Feminist Ecocriticism of Science Fiction. London: Routledge. ISBN 9780367716233.
  4. ^ Helford, p.291.