Gender Socialization in Family Businesses: A Preliminary Examination

Abstract

Social science literature documents that gender socialization plays a critical role in the choices adults make throughout their lifetime. The focus of this study is on the unexplored aspect of gender socialization in relation to leadership of family business. The central questions guiding the research ask in what way gender socialization affected: a) the leadership roles available to children in the family business and b) how the children actually functioned in those roles. The results provide a descriptive framework of gender differences found in the socialization process resulting in a new paradigm for women in relation to their development as leaders in business.