I think family can be an indication of stability. Existing obligations can be factored in ahead of time. The alternative (and this was my case), you can start something in your mid to late 20s, and if wanting a family becomes a factor while the company is neither taking off nor dying, that introduces a new variable. I decided to leave (there were many more reasons), but if I was in a stable situation at 45 maybe I would have decided differently.
I guess it heavily depends on the person. I got a huge boost of motivation and energy to launch something when I got my first kid. I guess it's the opposite for others.
More pressure to ship, but I went 3 days a week when my kids arrived and I don't regret it at all. Now my kids well established in school and have their own interests, I'm ready to focus on work again.
What do you mean? Like having a wife and kids? Or having rich parents and uncles who can pay your expenses while you take risks? Cuz the latter seems like the one most successful founders share.
Regarding the latter, its not the subsidize chance to take a risk, its the subsidized chances, plural. There is a selective evolution towards already wealthy people because everyone else gets one chance and is shut out for the next decade or so working for wages, and god forbid they pursue or get involved in any relationship rite of passage over that next decade, greatly reducing the probability of being able to take a risk without consequences to the relationship.
Excellent point
Except that 80 percent of millionaires in the USA are first generation affluent. Google it, primary source is research conducted for the book the millionaire next door.
Except we're not talking about millionaires.
The impression I got from that book is that the average millionaire is someone in their late 50s just about to retire, and they need that million+ for retirement. Statistically true, but not really relevant to entrepreneurship IMHO.
Millionaires is probably not the right measure. Look at entrepreneurs. From my observation a lot of them come from families where the parents can help if the business doesn’t work out. This help may come in the form of having a place to move back, help with rent, buy a car, have relatives that have some money to invest. You don’t need millionaire parents for that but it makes a big difference.