The motherhood penalty affects women in a number of infuriating ways, from reduced earning potential (mothers make £4.44 less per hour in weekly earnings than fathers) to limited opportunities for promotion. It can even affect women without children, as a third of employers admit to having avoided hiring married and childless women in their 30s because they’re at ‘risk’ of becoming pregnant.

Now, a new study has found that women in their 30s are also least likely to start a socially responsible business.

The research analysed 5,400 start-up entrepreneurs across 44 countries and found a distinct life cycle for women founding social enterprises. While women lead half of all social enterprises around the world, the study discovered a significant dip in the likelihood of a woman starting a socially focused business when she’s in her late 30s.

The researchers found that women are more likely to consider founding a social enterprise in their 20s – typically when they are less likely to be hampered by childcare duties and costs. As they get older, the probability starts to drop off, with the lowest point occurring at 38.6 years of age.

It’s only when women enter their late 50s and 60s that the probability significantly rises again – likely because their children have grown up and moved out and they now feel freer to pursue their true ambitions.

The study concluded that the inevitable financial pressures that come with raising children are forcing women who are looking to start their own business venture to prioritise profit over social impact. Considering the average cost of raising a child to age 18 in the UK is £260,000 for a couple and £290,000 for a single parent, it’s not surprising news. Without systemic changes, including improved childcare support and rebalanced home and caring responsibilities, women will remain in this position.

“The ‘motherhood penalty’ is still alive and kicking,” says Ute Stephan, an associate at the Centre for Sustainable Business and professor of entrepreneurship at King’s Business School, King’s College London, who co-authored the research. “Women want to create positive change, but they are denied opportunities by time and financial constraints. Until these barriers are removed, women must make tough trade-offs between their ambitions and responsibilities.”

She added: “Addressing systemic barriers, such as the cost and availability of childcare and elderly care, is crucial. Without these changes, women will not be able to harness their full potential to create social value during the very years where their potential to create successful businesses is greatest.”

Women in their 30s are least likely to pursue social entrepreneurship, new study finds