Female entrepreneurs: How do family context and parental role interact to explain their decision to launch a business?

Background The influence of family context and parental roles on women’s entrepreneurial intentions is increasingly recognized in gender and entrepreneurship studies. While much research highlights structural factors, we focus on the formative impact of parental upbringing. This study explores how early family environments shape the entrepreneurial trajectories of women. Objective We aim to examine how parental roles and value transmission contribute to women’s decisions to pursue entrepreneurship. By focusing on qualitative insights, we address how implicit family influences can foster or hinder entrepreneurial ambitions. Methods We conducted narrative interviews with 29 French female entrepreneurs from diverse sectors and backgrounds. This qualitative approach allowed us to capture both direct and subtle parental influences. The analysis was structured around themes such as parental style, family structure, and the transmission of gender norms. Results The findings indicate that most participants were raised in families that did not impose gender-based constraints. Women from egalitarian or matriarchal households reported higher self-efficacy, while those from patriarchal families often resisted gendered expectations, which fueled their entrepreneurial drive. Parental support and the absence of limiting stereotypes emerged as key factors. Conclusions Our study highlights the critical role of family environments in shaping women’s entrepreneurial ambitions by fostering autonomy and resilience. Encouraging egalitarian family models and addressing gendered socialization could help reduce disparities in entrepreneurship. These insights offer valuable direction for policymakers and educators aiming to promote female entrepreneurship.