Just as there is a wage gap between men and women in the workplace, there is a 'leisure gap' between them at home. Most women work one shift in the office or factory and a 'second shift' at home.

In this quote, Arlie Russell Hochschild draws attention to the concept of a "leisure gap" between men and women, paralleling it to the well-known wage gap that exists in the workplace. While many people are aware of the financial inequality that women face in comparison to men, Hochschild expands the conversation to highlight an equally significant disparity in how time is divided at home. She argues that while both men and women may work outside the home, women often face a "second shift"—additional domestic responsibilities such as housework, childcare, and caregiving.

Hochschild’s term "second shift" refers to the idea that many women, after completing their first shift in the workplace, return home to begin another round of labor. This creates a situation where women are effectively working two jobs, one paid and one unpaid. The leisure gap comes into play because women, due to their additional responsibilities at home, have significantly less free time compared to men, who are more likely to enjoy a more balanced division of labor in the household.

The "leisure gap" is a reflection of the unequal distribution of household labor, where societal expectations often place the burden of domestic work on women, even if they also have full-time careers. This leaves women with fewer opportunities for personal relaxation, social activities, or pursuing hobbies, creating a systemic imbalance in how time is spent across genders. The quote points to the hidden but pervasive nature of this inequality, which is not always recognized in traditional discussions about gender roles or economic disparity.

Ultimately, Hochschild's quote highlights the broader issue of gender inequality in both the public and private spheres. It draws attention to the ways in which traditional gender roles continue to shape women's lives, even outside the workplace, contributing to both economic and personal inequalities. Her work calls for a more equitable distribution of both professional and domestic labor to address the structural issues that perpetuate the leisure gap.