Meili W.

Work-life balance for women isn’t just about juggling multiple responsibilities—it’s about confronting a system that has kept women in a perpetual state of exhaustion. Despite decades of progress in the workplace, women are still expected to carry the bulk of household duties. Cooking, cleaning, caregiving—these aren’t just chores; they’re a continuation of the unpaid labor that keeps women tethered to outdated gender roles (Hochschild & Machung, 1989).

It’s time we call it what it is: systemic gender-based oppression. The notion that women must somehow “do it all” reinforces the idea that we exist to serve. This double burden has kept women out of the highest levels of power, limiting our ability to thrive personally and professionally. True work-life balance will only be achieved when women are no longer expected to be superhuman. It begins at home, with shared responsibilities and a dismantling of these gendered expectations (Blair-Loy et al., 2015).

Beyond the Office: The Impact of the Second Shift on Work Balance

The second shift—this insidious expectation that women come home from a full day’s work only to start another, unpaid job—continues to undermine progress. Even as women make strides in the corporate world, we are still expected to handle the majority of household chores. This invisible labor keeps us trapped in cycles of burnout, while men benefit from a “leisure gap,” enjoying more free time and less stress (Brailey & Slatton, 2019).

For marginalized women, particularly women of color, this burden is even heavier. These women have historically carried the weight of unpaid and underpaid labor, facing additional layers of discrimination and economic inequality. We can’t talk about work balance without addressing the racial and socioeconomic disparities that further compound this injustice (Brailey & Slatton, 2019). If we are to truly achieve equality, we must challenge these systems of oppression from every angle.

The Mental Load: Invisible Labor That Disrupts Work Balance

Let’s not forget the mental load—the endless to-do lists, the emotional management, the planning and organizing that women do behind the scenes. Beyond the physical tasks of caregiving and household chores, women are often responsible for keeping the entire household running. This mental load can be just as draining, if not more, than the physical work itself (Blair-Loy et al., 2015).

The toll this takes on women’s health is enormous. Stress, anxiety, depression—these are not side effects of “modern life”; they are symptoms of a system that continues to pile on expectations without offering support. Research shows that women who bear the mental load of managing both a career and household responsibilities are at greater risk for long-term health issues, including heart disease (Akkan, 2019).

Shared Responsibilities: How Men Can Create Balance for Everyone

Work-life balance isn’t just a women’s issue—it’s a family issue, a societal issue, and yes, it’s a men’s issue. Men must step up. The conversation about equality in the workplace is incomplete if we don’t also talk about equality at home. Research shows that when men share household responsibilities, both partners experience greater satisfaction in their relationships, better health, and deeper emotional connections (Khan et al., 2021). This isn’t just about fairness—it’s about creating a more fulfilling, balanced life for everyone involved.

For too long, we’ve allowed the idea that housework and caregiving are “women’s work” to persist, and this must change. Men who take on an equal share of household labor not only lift the burden from their partners, but they also benefit by fostering stronger relationships with their children and partners. Achieving work balance requires a shift in the dynamics of power and responsibility.

To make this happen, couples need to have honest conversations about the division of labor, set clear expectations, and utilize tools like shared calendars or apps to track household tasks. Start by making a list of all the responsibilities—visible and invisible—and ensure they’re divided equitably. It’s not about helping out; it’s about partnership.

Workplace Policies and Work-life Balance: The Role of Employers

While equal partnerships at home are essential, we cannot overlook the role that workplaces play in perpetuating—or resolving—this imbalance. Workplace policies must evolve to support real work-life balance. In countries like Sweden and Norway, progressive policies such as paid parental leave and flexible work arrangements have helped normalize shared caregiving and housework, benefiting both women and men (Blair-Loy et al., 2015).

Unfortunately, many companies in the U.S. are still stuck in an outdated model of the “ideal worker,” someone who is available around the clock and free of family responsibilities. This model is not only unrealistic; it is damaging. True work balance requires flexibility—remote work options, paid family leave, and flexible schedules—that allow employees to meet the demands of both their jobs and their families (Hirschi et al., 2017).

Workplaces that embrace flexibility and promote gender equality see higher employee satisfaction, greater retention, and more productivity. It’s time for employers to recognize that supporting work-life balance benefits everyone, not just women.

A Call for Equality at Home and in Society

We cannot discuss work-life balance without acknowledging that it starts at home. The systems that perpetuate inequality in household labor are the same systems that limit women’s advancement in the workplace. By redefining work balance to include fairness in both paid and unpaid labor, we can begin to dismantle these patriarchal structures that have held women back for generations.

Dismantling stereotypes and demanding equality is not just a professional issue—it’s personal. Achieving true work-life balance requires action at every level, from the household to the boardroom. This is how we create lasting, systemic change.

Conclusion: Equality is the Key to Work-life Balance

True work-life balance isn’t just about managing time or delegating tasks—it’s about challenging the gender roles that have long kept women from achieving their full potential. It’s about holding men accountable, demanding more from our employers, and fighting for systemic change at every level. Women should not have to choose between a successful career and a fulfilling home life. We deserve both, and we can have both, but only if the work is shared equally, and society finally values the contributions women make—both paid and unpaid.