For centuries, women have been perceived primarily as wives, homemakers, and subordinates to men, economically dependent and with their potential largely overlooked. However, their pivotal role in income generation, development, and education is undeniable. This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the psychological and entrepreneurial traits influencing the tendency of rural women in Fars Province toward self-employment. A total of 365 rural women from Fars Province were selected through a quantitative survey approach utilizing stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The validity of questionnaire was confirmed by faculty members of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Education at Shiraz University, and its reliability was established through a pilot study conducted outside the main sample (n=327). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using SPSS26 to compare different groups of rural women. The findings revealed significant differences across age groups regarding independence anxiety and political empowerment, with older women scoring higher than middle-aged and younger ones. Additionally, the educational level was found to be inversely related to the intensity of the Cinderella Syndrome; women with higher education levels demonstrated greater empowerment and self-efficacy. The study also identified significant differences among women from various counties with respect to the Cinderella Syndrome index, with women from Sarvestan County scoring the highest. According to ANOVA results, the rural women who owned personal businesses exhibited higher self-efficacy and lower dependency levels, with significantly lower Cinderella Syndrome score. These findings underscore the impact of socio-cultural, environmental, and structural factors—as well as age, education, and employment status—on rural women's tendency toward self-employment and business ownership.