What term describes the double burden of work and home responsibilities that many women face?

The term "second shift" specifically refers to the phenomenon where women, after completing a full day's work outside the home, return to undertake additional responsibilities such as household chores and caregiving. This concept was popularized by sociologist Arlie Hochschild in her book "The Second Shift," where she highlights how many women engage in a "second shift" of labor within the family structure, often leading to them managing both paid employment and unpaid domestic work.

This notion captures the essence of the imbalance many women experience between their professional and personal lives, emphasizing the layered challenges they face. By recognizing this dual burden, the term sheds light on issues related to gender roles, social expectations, and the division of labor in households, which remain relevant in discussions of workplace equality and family dynamics today.

While the other options touch on related topics—such as life balance, which implies managing both work and home responsibilities, and work-life conflict, which denotes the tension between work and personal life—the term "second shift" specifically encapsulates the unique struggle of managing combined work duties in both public and private spheres, making it the most accurate choice.