<p>This paper theorizes how the parent-child relationship influences a child’s intentions for internal succession versus external entrepreneurship. Drawing on insights from family science literature, we examine the emotional and cognitive dimensions of this relationship and their impact on a child’s intentions. We propose that the impact of the parent-child relationship on a child’s intention will vary based on the child’s gender and self-competence. We further delineate that the effects of the child’s gender and self-competence will be moderated by different cultural contexts, including “son preference” and coparcenary cultures. By doing so, this study enhances our understanding of the critical roles that parents and cultural contexts play in shaping children’s attitudes toward internal succession and external entrepreneurship, while also highlighting the unique ways through which familial relationships influence a child’s choice in sustaining family firms and preserving an entrepreneurial mindset across generations.</p>