The Mosuo have a unique social structure that has largely withstood the influence of Han culture. In a matriarchal society such as the Mosuo, women are free to choose new lovers at any time and indicate that they are ready for one, by leaving a light on in their room at night. Men who choose to sleep with her return to their mother's household the next morning. In their own home, women have their own private bedroom, whereas the other members of the house sleep communally in the main room of the house, so the woman has her own private entrance where her lover may come and go unnoticed.

It is considered poor taste to ever discuss a woman's love interests in public, so her choice of lover is not up for discussion. The children are reared by their mother and her brother, and although they may know who their actual father is, he may or may not play a part in the affairs of his children's household. It is the men's responsibility to care for their mother, in the house where they were raised.

Despite their simple standard of living, households are really well-run, with one of the main benefits being that there is great stability for the children, who enjoy the continuous care of the mother and a father figure, no matter who the woman is physically involved with at the time.