LAWNS AND LEMONADE: EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GENDERED CHILDPRENEUR ACTIVITIES, ADULT ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS AND INDUSTRY PREFERENCE

Abstract

Female entrepreneurs have moved into all industry sectors in recent years; yet most start businesses in only a few of these sectors, such as education and healthcare. We argue this is, at least in part, because gender role stereotypes permeate self-concepts and behaviors very early in life. Therefore, when children engage in entrepreneurial activities (which we term ‘childpreneurship’), they choose activities that match their gender role (much like adults), thereby reinforcing gender roles that later influence their adult entrepreneurial and occupational choices. We examine the mediating force of gendered childpreneur activities on the relationship between gender and adult entrepreneurial industry preference. We also examine the moderating effect of the quantity of childpreneur activities on the relationship between gender and entrepreneurial intention. A cross-sectional survey study of over 900 U.S. college students and working adults reveals that men and women report a stronger preference to start a business in gender-congruent industries. For men, engagement in male-typed childpreneur activities partially mediates this relationship. In general, the number of childpreneur activities is positively related to adult entrepreneurial intentions. More specifically, gender-neutral childpreneur activities are positively associated with women’s adult entrepreneurial intentions. Our study expands knowledge of distal factors influencing entrepreneurial intention and industry preference.