What is it about?
This article explores how family dynamics shape the entrepreneurial identities and journeys of female startup founders.
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Why is it important?
Our study explores how mothers and fathers shape the entrepreneurial identity of female founders. This is important for understanding how parental influence—through support, expectations, or absence—impacts confidence, risk-taking, and leadership styles. Our findings highlight seven key themes, including how maternal aspirations, paternal expectations, and childhood adversities contribute to entrepreneurial motivations. These insights can help design better mentorship programs and support systems to foster gender-inclusive entrepreneurship.
Perspectives
Writing this article was a deeply rewarding experience, as it allowed us to explore the intersection of family dynamics and entrepreneurial identity—a topic that is both academically significant and personally intriguing. Throughout this research, I was struck by the diverse and often unexpected ways maternal and paternal influences shape female founders' journeys. From stories of resilience to the impact of gender-equal parenting, the narratives we uncovered highlight the complexity of identity formation in entrepreneurship. We hope this article encourages more discussions on how early-life experiences shape professional paths, especially for women navigating traditionally male-dominated spaces. More than anything, we hope it resonates with entrepreneurs who may see reflections of their own stories within our findings, and that it sparks new conversations about how we can better support the next generation of female founders.
gilberto sarfati
Fundacao Getulio Vargas
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Maternal and paternal influence on female entrepreneurial identity: a narrative analysis, International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, January 2025, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/ijge-05-2024-0155.
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