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I have invested time and energy but not money. (I don't have that kind of money) IMO, being a mother is a bonus but no, I don't think that they should take it

I have invested time and energy but not money. (I don't have that kind of money) IMO, being a mother is a bonus but no, I don't think that they should take it into account. I think that they should look at the idea and ability to execute. I think that all the data shows that women led companies are more successful, so if they do take it into account it would only be to the benefit of the mother.

sarciszewski 11y ago
> I think that all the data shows that women led companies are more successful That would be interesting. If anyone on HN has the data on this one way or another, I'd definitely like to see it.
- codingbinary 11y ago
  Plus, wouldn't that contradict the whole idea of "we are all equal. Men are not better than women" but suddenly stating the opposite is totally fine? The data on this would really be interesting.
  - sarahnadav 11y ago
    The data does show that women led companies do better- but the fact that there are so few women who have to fight to make it to the top could mean that the women who get there are better- not that women in general do better.
    - codingbinary 11y ago
      I'm just wondering how the same statement (if the data would show it) would be perceived if it would be said for males. Studies could also show that there is a higher chance for mothers to quit along half the way due to child-related reasons (made up studies for the sake of argument). That on the other hand would be considered misogny. And I'd take it with a grain of salt as the sample sizes are vastly different. That being said, do you have a link somewhere? Would really be interested to read that.
hitekker 11y ago
I'm not sure if I agree that being a parent is a bonus. I had a friend, male who was happily married. He cofounded a company with another right before he had a kid. Because his wife was the main breadwinner, he often times had to work-from-home to care of the baby. The needs of his company barely overlapped with the need of the child, and eventually it got to the point, where he ended up leaving the company to focus on the child. The company he cofounded has since died. You're right that some VC's will unfairly connect woman with motherhood, i.e. "Ah you're a female founder so you're going to have a kid and then the company will die!" That is sexism, no doubt. But parenthood, regardless of gender, will impact that founder's level of commitment to the company, especially if the founder is the main caretaker of the child. If this were an established company, yes: both parents can work and raise a kid well. But a startup asks for more than a 9-5 commitment: it's like another child that requires constant attention and love. Its specific needs differ greatly from human children[1] but those needs are just as pressing and as demanding, if not more so. Anything less portends an early end. [1] Baby food v.s. VC funding.
- dllthomas 11y ago
  > "Ah you're a female founder so you're going to have a kid and then the company will die!" > But, it is risk if one of the founders had newborn children. In normal employment, both parents can work and raise a kid... but, a startup demands more than a 9-5 commitment. It's basically another child. I'm not sure that you're mistaken, in terms of what you were trying to communicate. I'm amused noting that people do have multiple children, and people aren't generally worried that the older ones will die when a new one comes along...
  - hitekker 11y ago
    Right, that was poor diction. I have since updated articulating my viewpoint more correctly: that startups have needs which are different from a child's need but are just as pressing and demanding due to the love you've invested in both.
  - smm2000 11y ago
    They won't die but they definitely will achieve less. From quick Google search MORE SIBLINGS MEANS LOWER GRADES IN SCHOOL, STUDY SHOWS http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/siblings.htm http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/siblings.htm

sarciszewski 11y ago

> I think that all the data shows that women led companies are more successful That would be interesting. If anyone on HN has the data on this one way or another, I'd definitely like to see it.

codingbinary 11y ago
Plus, wouldn't that contradict the whole idea of "we are all equal. Men are not better than women" but suddenly stating the opposite is totally fine? The data on this would really be interesting.
- sarahnadav 11y ago
  The data does show that women led companies do better- but the fact that there are so few women who have to fight to make it to the top could mean that the women who get there are better- not that women in general do better.
  - codingbinary 11y ago
    I'm just wondering how the same statement (if the data would show it) would be perceived if it would be said for males. Studies could also show that there is a higher chance for mothers to quit along half the way due to child-related reasons (made up studies for the sake of argument). That on the other hand would be considered misogny. And I'd take it with a grain of salt as the sample sizes are vastly different. That being said, do you have a link somewhere? Would really be interested to read that.

hitekker 11y ago

I'm not sure if I agree that being a parent is a bonus. I had a friend, male who was happily married. He cofounded a company with another right before he had a kid. Because his wife was the main breadwinner, he often times had to work-from-home to care of the baby. The needs of his company barely overlapped with the need of the child, and eventually it got to the point, where he ended up leaving the company to focus on the child. The company he cofounded has since died. You're right that some VC's will unfairly connect woman with motherhood, i.e. "Ah you're a female founder so you're going to have a kid and then the company will die!" That is sexism, no doubt. But parenthood, regardless of gender, will impact that founder's level of commitment to the company, especially if the founder is the main caretaker of the child. If this were an established company, yes: both parents can work and raise a kid well. But a startup asks for more than a 9-5 commitment: it's like another child that requires constant attention and love. Its specific needs differ greatly from human children[1] but those needs are just as pressing and as demanding, if not more so. Anything less portends an early end. [1] Baby food v.s. VC funding.

dllthomas 11y ago
> "Ah you're a female founder so you're going to have a kid and then the company will die!" > But, it is risk if one of the founders had newborn children. In normal employment, both parents can work and raise a kid... but, a startup demands more than a 9-5 commitment. It's basically another child. I'm not sure that you're mistaken, in terms of what you were trying to communicate. I'm amused noting that people do have multiple children, and people aren't generally worried that the older ones will die when a new one comes along...
- hitekker 11y ago
  Right, that was poor diction. I have since updated articulating my viewpoint more correctly: that startups have needs which are different from a child's need but are just as pressing and demanding due to the love you've invested in both.
- smm2000 11y ago
  They won't die but they definitely will achieve less. From quick Google search MORE SIBLINGS MEANS LOWER GRADES IN SCHOOL, STUDY SHOWS http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/siblings.htm http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/siblings.htm