Contenu du sommaire : Les femmes et le défi de la conciliation entre vie professionnelle et vie familiale. Le cas des entrepreneuses et des mères en congé parental

Dominique Van Kiersbilck, director of the Maison de l'Emploi of the urban area of Nancy, explains the role of her structure in the support for the new business starters. A specific device, Balise, created in 2006, offers a set of tools and an individual support, which intends to boost entrepreneurship. Nonetheless, and despite their willingness to undertake business, the Maison de l'emploi noticed the sub-representation of women among new entrepreneurs.

Based on qualitative interviews of women entrepreneurs, the study first investigates their social and professional backgrounds but also their motivations to create a business. Five major types of women's entrepreneurship can be identified : the “vocationnal-creation”, the “emancipation-creation”, the “work-family reconciliation-creation”, the “new start-creation”, and the “last chance-creation”.
We then highlight the difficulties they face while creating their business in a society where gender inequalities remain strong. The professional carrier of the husband and the birth and raise of children appear to be the strongest challenge. As a conclusion, the study shows how the support offered by local policies address the needs of women entrepreneurs and could be strengthened.

This article analyzes how the experience of the parental leave impacts on women's perspectives of returning to the employment. It demonstrates that this period encourages women to reposition themselves towards current normative patterns (self-fulfillment, professional commitment, parental availability…), thus generating strong tensions.