Conclusion

Abstract

It has been argued in this book that ‘Deng’s generation’ existed as a social category recognisable by key trends in attitudes and behaviour. Several main spheres of interest have been examined, notably education, leisure and economics as well as politics. These were shaped by the early years of the reform decade with its associated shifts away from ‘hard-line’ Maoism towards market reforms and opening up to the outside world. Created and shaped by a new era and feelings of optimism after the previous decade of ‘turmoil’, those young people who became members of this generation were bound to have higher expectations in all areas of life, from jobs to personal freedoms with a greater likelihood of disappointment and frustration should these expectations remain unfulfilled. This has been a central point of this work and the hopes and disappointments have been discussed within the generational framework.