Space and power: Young mothers' management of smoking in extended families in China

Multigenerational co-residence is a widespread phenomenon in China but there is little knowledge about the impact of power dynamics on smoking behaviors among extended family residents. Using a gender lens, this ethnographic study explored how young mothers in extended families in mainland China managed the smoking of their husbands and other family members. Analysis of data resulted in a model of ‘two units-three domains’ to reflect gendered relationships between young mothers and other family members, and young mothers' participation in family management. Exploration of the mothers' efforts to deal with household smoking using the model provided an explanation for why the young mothers had limited control over household space and could only impose partial restrictions on home smoking in the extended family.

► Gendered family dynamics shaped young mothers' routine ways of family management.
► A ‘two units-three domains’ model was established to describe young mothers' participation in family management.
► Young mothers' dealing with home smoking could be explained within the model.
► Young mothers had control over their private spaces in the extended family home.
► Young mothers had limited control over other spaces in the extended family home.