The answer is A: Women often perform a "double shift."
Explanation for each option:
A. Women often perform a "double shift." - This is correct. The concept of the "double shift" refers to the phenomenon where women, in addition to their paid employment, also take on the majority of unpaid domestic labor and caregiving responsibilities at home. This can limit their availability for overtime, career advancement opportunities, and higher-paying positions, contributing to the income gap between men and women.
B. Low-education jobs mainly held by men tend to pay better than those dominated by women. - This is also a factor that contributes to the income gap. Many jobs traditionally held by men, even those requiring lower education levels, often pay more than jobs typically held by women. This is due to historical and systemic factors that value male-dominated industries more highly.
C. Men tend to perform better than women in most jobs. - This statement is incorrect and reflects a stereotype rather than a fact. Performance in jobs is not inherently linked to gender, and numerous studies have shown that men and women perform equally well in various roles when given equal opportunities and resources.
D. Women make up about 47% of the civilian workforce. - While this is a factual statement about workforce composition, it does not directly explain the income gap. The percentage of women in the workforce does not inherently account for differences in income between genders.