Female teachers report worse work-life balance than men: Is gender equity in US schools still an illusion?

A new RAND Corporation report has found that female teachers in the US face significantly more challenges in achieving work-life balance than their male counterparts. The findings, drawn from the 2025 State of the American Teacher Survey, reveal that rigid work schedules, high levels of household responsibility and limited personal time contribute to the gender disparity. The survey included responses from 1,419 educators and showed that women—who make up 75% of the US teaching workforce—were more likely than men to feel overwhelmed by the demands of both their jobs and home life. These findings highlight a persistent gap in workplace equity across the education sector. Less flexibility and more emotional burden According to the report, nearly three-quarters of female teachers said