Väitöskirjatutkimus äitien yrittäjyydestä ja hyvinvoinnista (osa 2/3)

Entrepreneurship as a Pathway for Mothers of Children with Additional Needs

Balancing motherhood and a career is challenging for any parent, but for mothers of children with additional needs (AN), this balancing act can feel nearly impossible. Traditional employment often lacks the flexibility needed to manage caregiving responsibilities, leading many mothers to modify their careers or leave the workforce entirely.

But what if entrepreneurship could provide an alternative? A recent study explores how mothers of AN children can leverage their caregiving skills to build successful businesses, offering them autonomy, financial stability, and a renewed sense of purpose.

The Challenges of Traditional Employment

Mothers of AN children often face unique obstacles when it comes to maintaining traditional jobs, including:

• Workplace Inflexibility – Many employers struggle to accommodate unpredictable caregiving responsibilities.
• Financial Pressures – The costs associated with raising a child with AN—medical care, therapies, specialized education—are significantly higher.
• Societal Expectations – Mothers are often expected to be the primary caregivers, making it difficult to maintain full-time employment.
• Emotional and Physical Strain – Balancing caregiving and a career can lead to burnout, stress, and declining personal wellbeing.

As a result, many mothers find themselves underemployed or forced to leave the workforce altogether. However, the research suggests that entrepreneurship may offer a more sustainable path.

Entrepreneurship: A Flexible Solution

Unlike traditional jobs, entrepreneurship allows mothers to:

• Set their own schedules – Work when and how it suits their family’s needs.
• Create meaningful work – Pursue business ventures aligned with their skills and passions.
• Find financial independence – Generate income without the constraints of a standard 9-to-5 job.

More importantly, mothers of AN children naturally develop transferable skills that make them well-suited for entrepreneurship.

Understanding Stressors and Development

The following diagram illustrates the challenges (stressors) that mothers of AN children face and how these challenges contribute to personal and professional development.

As shown in the diagram, stressors such as work inflexibility, time management, caregiving, financial pressure, and control can contribute to identity formation and skills development—essential qualities for entrepreneurship.

From Caregiver to Business Owner: Transferable Skills

The study highlights several key skills that mothers of AN children acquire through their caregiving experiences—many of which are directly applicable to running a business:

These skills are critical for entrepreneurial success, proving that mothers of AN children are already equipped with the tools they need to thrive in business.

The Need for More Research

While entrepreneurship presents many potential benefits, further research is needed to explore:

• How effectively these caregiving skills translate into business success.
• Whether entrepreneurship improves long-term wellbeing for these mothers.
• The role of social enterprises in supporting mothers of AN children.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Business Venture

Entrepreneurship is more than just an income source for mothers of AN children—it’s an opportunity to reclaim their professional identity, achieve financial independence, and integrate work with caregiving in a sustainable way.

By leveraging their resilience, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability, these mothers can turn their daily challenges into entrepreneurial strengths. However, continued research and support are essential to ensure they have the resources needed to succeed.

As society rethinks work-life balance, it’s time to recognize the untapped potential of these mothers—not just as caregivers, but as innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.

Got interested?

Read the whole article ”A fresh perspective on entrepreneurship as a career for mothers to additional needs children” by Regina Casteleijn-Osorno here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/14657503251317615

Regina Casteleijn-Osorno: regina.a.casteleijn-osorno@utu.fi

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Kiinnostuitko?

Lue koko artikkeli ”A fresh perspective on entrepreneurship as a career for mothers to additional needs children” (englanniksi) täällä: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/14657503251317615

Regina Casteleijn-Osorno: regina.a.casteleijn-osorno@utu.fi