While fewer kids are taking over to keep the family business alive these days, women are stepping into the top job more than ever before.

Grant Walsh, director and co-founder of KPMG Enterprise’s Centre for Family Business, said women are moving from the family home into the business boardroom.

“There are more females entering the workforce and that has been the case for the last decade or so,” he said. “There seems to be an interest that family business owners are recognizing — that women have a skill to bring to the leadership role.”

Walsh said research has shown women who run their family’s business are more successful than their male counterparts, and about 35% of family business owners expect their next leader will be a woman, from either inside or outside the family.

The same can’t be said for the kids, Walsh said.

One of the reasons is changing demographics — families have fewer children — but there are other issues.

“The work ethic. I hear it all the time,” he said of how exiting family members view newer generations. “‘Why can’t they come in here at 7:30 in the morning? I’m here. Grandpa came in at 7:30, I come in at 7:30, you’ll come in at 7:30.’ ”

Another issue, Walsh said, is how young people often view debt and credit, a view not popular with their parents.

“The older generation — we don’t want any debt, we don’t want any credit, we want everything to be paid in cash,” Walsh said. “Well, this generation, they live on debt, they live on credit.”

Anything else?

“The Internet,” and its unlimited employment opportunities, Walsh said.

“You can find work just by sitting in the office in dad’s chair and keying in ‘job’ and you can find all kinds of options. Those things have made it difficult.”