Gender difference in space–time fixity from household structure in urban China: A case study of Beijing

Abstract

Space–time constraints caused by employment and family responsibilities may lead to greater gender differences in behavioural possibilities. However, only a few studies have directly investigated the effect of household structure on gender differences. This study uses a dataset of activity diaries collected in Beijing to investigate how family structure affects space–time constraints across genders. As a follow-up study, it also investigates the consequences of space–time constraints across genders. The results show gender differences in both individual time use and space–time fixity. In extended households, help from other family members, such as co-residing grandparents, reduces the space–time fixity of the head of the household. This effect was primarily observed in the time fixity of housework and discretionary activities. However, there is still a gender difference in the impact of extended families, which has been shown to affect men more than women. In addition, the degree of fixity is also influenced by personal and household attributes, such as income, children and car ownership.