Just returned from a conference where one of the talks I attended was on commercialisation of research and financial support for start-ups resulting from third level research.
At the end of his talk, the government rep announced that they are about to kickstart a programme that is going to look into why female entrepreneurship is at an all time low in Ireland. In the States, he said, 10-15% of entrepreneurs are females and that is considered “average”. We happen to be below average with less than 5% of entrepreneurs being females.
So… let’s hear it from women all across the globe… why not take the entrepreneurship route? It doesn’t have to be something resulting from technological research, could be something relatively simple such as setting up a retail shop. Is it because of the duties that the society imposes on you as a woman? Too much time is required? Family doesn’t think it’s a good idea? What gives?
^ Because it's risky and in general, women are risk averse. Also, women have no social incentive to innovate and succeed. One of the reasons men want to be successful and stand out is because they will have the potential to get married to more desirable females. Women on the other hand, don't have to do this because men, in general, are not concerned with a woman's "earning potential" or other achievements.
On the other hand, I imagine social conditioning plays a role as well but I think the subconscious drives have a much higher impact.
I wish more Pakistanis (men or women) would go that route. Maybe it’s my perception, but I think Desi parents tend to push their kids towards “safe” choices. Go to school, find a job at a good company, and live your life. Entrepreneurship is risky, but it’s the people who take these risks that end up making significant changes. I can’t imagine a Desi parent being cool with their kid dropping out of Harvard to start Facebook or Microsoft
By the way, cool sig Reha. Marcus Aurelius had some interesting ideas.
Well though you wana talk about just women but let me share couple of thoughts that why even men won't go for it .
1 . You have to be business minded . . . well at least thats what I heard all my life that for being a businessman you have to be money wise . So one always question his or her ability to be money wise .
2 . Its risky . Especially being desi , we don't like losing money . But being in an entrepreneurship there is a good chance that it might not succeed and you end up with nothing .
3 . No formal training . Most of our education is based on job oriented needs . Now when it comes to creating a business of our own , we are just clueless . It just hard to think out of the box .
4 . Laziness . Well its pretty much self explanatory :)
