Changing Attitudes and Waning Prestige

This concluding chapter summarizes the findings of the studies presented in this book. This book attributes the changing perceptions of gangtaiqiang to the combined effects of shifting power dynamics, stylization in media, and evolving gender representations. A useful stylistic source for many Chinese mainlanders, gangtaiqiang retains some level of solidarity, but it is losing its status as a result of power renegotiation. Finally, this chapter points to possible future directions for the studies of language and media, as well as Chinese linguistics.