The Gender Stereotyping of Entrepreneurship

The gender roles have been standardised for the longest time in every part of the world. While men dominate the upper hierarchy on the professional front, women are sidelined into insignificant job profiles or supportive roles. The trend is prevalent globally and has made treading the path to professional success challenging for women. Several female entrepreneurs struggle to fit into conventionalised roles and are breaking the glass ceiling to make their achievements come to the forefront.

Entrepreneurship was considered the domain of men until determined and resilient women infiltrated it. Many Kiwi women, such as Samantha Jones, Brooke Roberts, Amber Marie Naveira, and Angie Judge, have taken up the challenge and succeeded. While Jacinda Ardern paved the way for breaking gender stereotypes in New Zealand, the standard perception surrounding the capabilities of women has not changed significantly. Let us look at how gender stereotyping has impacted entrepreneurship in the country. It will help female leaders understand the influence of gender dynamics in a business environment.

Common Perception Related to Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is considered a man’s territory because of rampant gender inequalities. Although the traits associated with the role can be acquired by women and put to use effectively, female leaders are not perceived as indomitable. They are still considered to be tender, gullible and altruistic, whereas running a business requires showcasing assertiveness, audacity and zeal to accomplish goals at any cost. Since women have been typecast as diffident and submissive, they do not fit into the shoes of a headstrong leader.

According to popular belief, men are viewed as stronger role models who are go-getters and risk-takers. These views have been around since ancient times because of living in a male-dominated society where men were supposed to do muscular tasks and women were subjected to household chores. However, times have changed, and physical strength does not equate to mental toughness.

Still, the representation of women in senior management is minimal. Men are preferred in these roles because the underlying bias continues to prevail. Nevertheless, women are overcoming these obstacles to launch their start-ups or purchase a business for sale New Zealand to put their talent to good use.

Impact of Gender Stereotyping on Entrepreneurship

Unsurprisingly, female entrepreneurs have been feeling the pressure of operating in an environment that can be sexist and chauvinistic. It has affected business ownership and the way the industry functions. Here is how it has created an impact:

1. Lack of Opportunities for Women

Female professionals find it challenging to reach to the top while working for others. They are not promoted to the higher ranks or given powerful positions within the organisation. The male camaraderie takes precedence over talent and skills in most sectors. Thus, most of them have to take the path of becoming a start-up founder or buying a business for sale in New Zealand to fulfil their dream. However, they are still discouraged by co-workers and industry veterans from taking responsibility because of their gender. They often get lectured to focus on their family life rather than growing professionally.

2. Gender Bias Among Key Members

Business ownership requires dealing with a wide number of people, including customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, etc. Most female entrepreneurs have to experience biased treatment from these people in comparison to their male counterparts. Many clients and suppliers do not take the requests and vision of a woman seriously and do not get the desired support and resources to achieve their goals. Similarly, angel investors are not interested in backing women-led businesses because they are not confident about their abilities to manage an organisation.

3. Missing Female Entrepreneurial Perspective

With the apathy towards female entrepreneurs in the marketplace, the number of women leading firms is significantly limited. It has led to the creation of a patriarchal ecosystem that creates barriers to the entry of female founders or those looking for business opportunities in New Zealand. As a result, domains that could have been nurtured by women, such as the cosmetics and fashion industries, are also controlled by men.

Ways to Remove Gender Stereotyping

Gender stereotyping has been ingrained in the minds of the population and needs to be eliminated with a strategic plan. The tips below can help to create an inclusive and equitable work environment irrespective of the gender of the entrepreneur to maximise their performance.

1. Increasing Awareness about Gender Bias

Many people showcase unconscious biased behaviour involuntarily and are not aware of their contribution towards the categorisation of people based on their gender. It is vital to sensitise the entire workforce about the consequences of this stereotyping and why it needs to be eliminated. In addition, the achievements of successful female entrepreneurs must be highlighted and celebrated more often. It will encourage women to purchase businesses for sale in New Zealand and become their own bosses without any hassle.

2. Empowering Female Entrepreneurs

The government must focus on supporting female entrepreneurs and inspire more women to launch their start-ups or acquire existing businesses. From training and mentoring programs to grants and funding, backing them can help in increasing their numbers. It will help to bring their views and opinions into the commercial domain and boost their representation. It will also reduce the biases and help them access resources and opportunities without any barriers.

3. Reducing the Gender Pay Gap

Although the Government Service Equal Pay Act of 1960 establishes that women must get the same pay for equal work, the gap remains. A recent study revealed that there was a 10% gap between the remuneration of men and women who held the same positions. It has also been established that most women are employed in low-paying jobs that fall into limited occupations. Thus, business owners need to change the way women are treated and paid in their organisations. It will increase their productivity and improve diversity in the workforce, which helps to cater to all segments of the target audience.

Wrapping Up

Gender stereotyping is not only present in entrepreneurship but also in various aspects of our lives. It is essential to eliminate the sentiment that positions women as inferior to men. It is time to appreciate the power of female entrepreneurs in New Zealand and break all stereotypes.