THE HIPPIES CHALLENGED THE SOCIAL STRUCTURES AND VALUES OF AMERICA IN THE 1960’S
A ‘hippie’ can be defined as someone of an alternative appearance and typically ‘associated with a subculture involving the rejection of conventional values.’ The hippies challenged various aspects of American society in the 1960’s, including their mainstream culture and ‘The Establishment.’ They ‘believed the dominant mainstream culture was corrupt and inherently flawed and sought to replace it with a utopian society.’ They believed that their lives should no longer be governed by their existing American stereotypes, and they should be open to change, because they were advocates of values including peace, love, equality and freedom amongst all. The hippies expressed …show more content…
The average American was very family orientated, living in houses, with their children attending school and taught to be ‘proper’ Americans. Similarly, the hippies also lived together, however they were not necessarily related. They shared and lived in VW buses, which they painted with bright colours and slogans. A popular slogan in the ‘60’s was ‘make love not war.’ The reason for them living together, provided opportunities for them to all share resources which in turn was protecting the environment. The hippies instigated a normality for couples to live together without being married, which has impacted society on a great level today, as ‘unmarried couples no longer feel persecuted for living together.’ The hippies ‘celebrated the Earth’ and believed that we should all become one with nature and preserve it. In an attempt to do this, hippies were generally vegetarian and avoided bathing regularly to preserve water. They engaged in social activities such as alternative arts and street theatre. The Diggers were a group of performers who regularly presented theatre acts for their local community in the park, where they were able to demonstrate their desire for freedom and their counterculture. They provided the community with free food and their performances served as a regular social gathering for the hippies. American culture during the ‘60’s was very conservative of their bodies. The hippies initiated what can be referred to as a ‘sexual revolution,’ which involved embracing their bodies and themselves. They no longer felt like sex should be considered taboo, and encouraged people to engage in premarital sex, and not feel like it is something restricted until marriage. A recent study concluded that 9 in 10 Americans have engaged in premarital sex, including people born in the 1940’s who were moved by the ‘revolution.’ Another predominant element in the hippie’s lifestyle was their use of
A ‘hippie’ can be defined as someone of an alternative appearance and typically ‘associated with a subculture involving the rejection of conventional values.’ The hippies challenged various aspects of American society in the 1960’s, including their mainstream culture and ‘The Establishment.’ They ‘believed the dominant mainstream culture was corrupt and inherently flawed and sought to replace it with a utopian society.’ They believed that their lives should no longer be governed by their existing American stereotypes, and they should be open to change, because they were advocates of values including peace, love, equality and freedom amongst all. The hippies expressed …show more content…
The average American was very family orientated, living in houses, with their children attending school and taught to be ‘proper’ Americans. Similarly, the hippies also lived together, however they were not necessarily related. They shared and lived in VW buses, which they painted with bright colours and slogans. A popular slogan in the ‘60’s was ‘make love not war.’ The reason for them living together, provided opportunities for them to all share resources which in turn was protecting the environment. The hippies instigated a normality for couples to live together without being married, which has impacted society on a great level today, as ‘unmarried couples no longer feel persecuted for living together.’ The hippies ‘celebrated the Earth’ and believed that we should all become one with nature and preserve it. In an attempt to do this, hippies were generally vegetarian and avoided bathing regularly to preserve water. They engaged in social activities such as alternative arts and street theatre. The Diggers were a group of performers who regularly presented theatre acts for their local community in the park, where they were able to demonstrate their desire for freedom and their counterculture. They provided the community with free food and their performances served as a regular social gathering for the hippies. American culture during the ‘60’s was very conservative of their bodies. The hippies initiated what can be referred to as a ‘sexual revolution,’ which involved embracing their bodies and themselves. They no longer felt like sex should be considered taboo, and encouraged people to engage in premarital sex, and not feel like it is something restricted until marriage. A recent study concluded that 9 in 10 Americans have engaged in premarital sex, including people born in the 1940’s who were moved by the ‘revolution.’ Another predominant element in the hippie’s lifestyle was their use of