Women and Social Entrepreneurship: A Balancing Act
Women demonstrate a remarkable propensity for establishing and leading socially responsible businesses, driven by a desire to create positive change in the world. This inclination towards purpose-driven ventures aligns with a growing global recognition of the importance of businesses that prioritize social and environmental impact alongside profit. However, despite this inherent passion and potential, women often face significant obstacles in their pursuit of social entrepreneurship, particularly during their middle years. These challenges, often stemming from societal expectations and systemic inequalities, hinder their ability to fully contribute to the burgeoning social enterprise sector. A new study from King’s Business School sheds light on this disparity, highlighting the need for targeted support and policy changes to empower women social entrepreneurs.
The research, encompassing over 5,000 startup entrepreneurs across 44 countries, reveals a distinct pattern in women’s entrepreneurial journeys. While the desire to launch social enterprises peaks in their twenties and early thirties, a significant decline occurs in the late thirties and early forties. This dip coincides with the period when women typically shoulder the heaviest burdens of childcare and eldercare responsibilities. The study identifies 38.6 years of age as the point where women are least likely to consider starting a social enterprise. This finding underscores the tension between societal expectations, personal responsibilities, and entrepreneurial ambitions. It is only later, in their fifties and sixties, that women regain the freedom and flexibility to pursue business creation, often after their caregiving duties have lessened.
The importance of this research lies in its focus on social entrepreneurship, a field that holds particular appeal for women. Social enterprises offer a more inclusive and collaborative approach to business, allowing individuals to combine profit generation with a commitment to social good. This model resonates strongly with women’s values and their desire to contribute meaningfully to society. Moreover, social enterprises can serve as valuable training grounds for aspiring female entrepreneurs. The commercial business world can often feel intimidating and exclusionary, with its inherent biases and emphasis on traditional, often masculine, leadership styles. Social enterprises, by contrast, provide a more supportive environment where women can develop essential business skills and gain confidence before venturing into the more competitive commercial landscape.
The economic significance of social entrepreneurship is undeniable. The sector generates trillions of dollars in revenue globally, supports millions of jobs, and plays a crucial role in addressing societal challenges. Importantly, social enterprises also exhibit greater gender equality in leadership compared to traditional businesses. With women leading roughly half of all social enterprises, compared to only one-fifth of commercial ventures, the sector represents a significant step towards closing the gender gap in entrepreneurship. However, the dip in female participation during their middle years poses a threat to this progress. If women are forced to step back from social entrepreneurship during their prime working years due to caregiving responsibilities, the sector risks losing a vast pool of talent and innovative ideas.
The barriers faced by female social entrepreneurs are complex and multifaceted. While men also juggle work and family responsibilities, they are statistically more likely to pursue entrepreneurial ambitions during their middle years. This difference highlights the unequal distribution of caregiving burdens and societal expectations placed upon women. One key factor contributing to this disparity is the high cost and limited availability of childcare in many countries. For example, the U.K. has some of the most expensive childcare within the OECD, creating a significant financial hurdle for women who wish to start or continue running businesses while raising families. Cultural factors also play a role. Entrepreneurship programs often focus on commercial ventures, neglecting the unique needs and aspirations of social entrepreneurs. This lack of tailored support can discourage women who prioritize social impact over profit maximization.
Addressing these systemic barriers requires a concerted effort from policymakers, businesses, and individuals. Making childcare more affordable and accessible is crucial to enabling women to balance their family and entrepreneurial pursuits. Furthermore, greater flexibility in the workplace and a shift in societal attitudes towards caregiving responsibilities are essential. Entrepreneurship programs should be designed to be more inclusive and cater to the specific needs of social entrepreneurs, providing them with the resources and support they require to succeed. Ultimately, empowering women to fully participate in the social enterprise sector will not only benefit individual women but also contribute to a more equitable and sustainable economy. By investing in women social entrepreneurs, we invest in a future where businesses are driven by purpose and contribute to the betterment of society as a whole.
