The Relationship of Childhood Factors on the Development of Women Leadership: An Analysis of Developing and Developed Countries

The study is focused on women leadership and the shortage of opportunities in society in developing and developed countries. The goal is to categorize and investigate common childhood experiences of women leaders through; intrapersonal factors (childhood vales) and external factors (Family and parents, education, economic status, religion) (Madsen, 2007; Toman, 2008; Bradley, 2011; Guerin, et al.,2011; Akstinaite, 2016). Providing information that may be used to make suggestions to schools about women leadership development, to generate a bigger pool and opportunities of future women leaders (Toman, 2008). The study uses data from the World Values Survey (WVS) to investigate the impact of childhood values, family environment, education, economic status, and religion on women's leadership. The study defines women's leadership as those in positions requiring leadership skills and qualities, such as managers, doctors, and business owners. A mixed methods approach was chosen to better support the research, analyzing both quantitate variables and qualitative variables. First descriptive analysis, about each question from the survey is conducted. In depth information about leaders’ childhood are provided by comparing the independent variables with the dependent variable. Additionally, the statistical quantitative section will investigate the hypotheses using models to further analyze the significance of the study. The results of the models revealed several common childhood experiences that affect women leadership (Madsen, 2007; Toman, 2008; Bradley, 2011; Akstinaite, 2016). Significant factors were found, where family environment had the highest positive correlation, education also had a positive relation, religion had the highest negative correlation, as for economic status it also had a significant negative correlation although it is weak it is supported by the literature. The findings of the study imply that certain experiences in childhood and adolescence may contribute to women’s potential to become a successful leader (Madsen, 2007; Adler & Management, 2008; Toman, 2008; Bradley, 2011; Guerin, et al., 2011; Akstinaite, 2016). These skills develop at a far younger age, than what most research papers about women leadership development target (Toman, 2008). Collecting information about successful women leaders in the MENA region for this research, fills that gap and benefits women leaders.