The role of parents’ education levels and occupations on their daughters’ entrepreneurial Intentions

This study explores female entrepreneurship by examining how parental background influences entrepreneurial Intentions, given entrepreneurship’s growing significance in economic development. Using survey data from 282 female university students, it analyzes connections between parental education, occupations, and daughters’ entrepreneurial aspirations. Contrary to expectations, the findings did not reveal statistically significant links between parents’ education levels or occupational backgrounds and their daughters’ entrepreneurial Intentions. However, Subjective Norms and perceived institutional support from the university and country significantly influenced entrepreneurial Intentions. Conducted in the United Arab Emirates, where entrepreneurship is actively promoted, this research underscores the role of institutional support and societal norms over familial background. Practical implications recommend that educational institutions and policymakers create programmes involving parents to foster supportive home environments. Socially, understanding these familial dynamics can encourage broader empowerment of women as leaders and innovators, thus enhancing economic growth.