The Hippie Subculture of the 1960s

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The 1960’s was a decade to remember. Hippies, The Draft, Civil Rights, and the Vietnam War were all events that took place in this youthful generation. Drugs claimed numerous lives furthermore the birth rate for young adolescents reached sky high. There was a major turning point on the idealistic life in the sixties its effect tarnished many families. ¶

The corner of Haight and Ashbury marks the spot of where the hippie subculture began. “ Initially it was a youth movement that started during the early 1960’s and spread all over the world” (Stone, Skip). The word hippie derives from “hipster which is someone who rejects the established culture” (Web Dictionary). Hippies rejected and established institutions, criticized middle-class values, opposed nuclear weapons , despised the draft, and even took part in the civil rights movement. “ All Hippies were young, from the ages of 15 to 25” (Huber, Adam) . A bundle of hippies lived on the streets because they didn’t have jobs so they would “panhandle” for spare change. Many others would get a job when needed. Practically all hippies turned vacant houses into “cash pads” where large groups of them would live. Hippies traveled as cheaply as possible, mainly to lengthen the time away from home, so journeys were carried out by thumbing (hitchhiking), or cheap private buses that travelled the route. ¶

Many of the hippie fashions were based on traditional designs from India, while other fashions were motivated by the icons of their day, rock n’ roll stars. The elements that went into the hippie wardrobe were inspired by their psychedelic imaginations. Striped bell bottoms, to blue jeans that had patchwork done, hip huggers, leather pants were popular. Tops consisted of brightly colo...

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...icians of the day appeared singing songs of peace and antiwar in front of nearly half a million concertgoers. This event has proven to be unique and legendary. It is regarded as one of the greatest moments in popular music history and was listed on Rolling Stone's 50 Moments That Changed the History of Rock and Roll. ¶

Social anthropologist Jentri Anders has observed a number of freedoms that were endorsed within a countercultural community which she lived in and studied: Additionally, Anders believed these people (Hippies) wished to modify children's education so that it didn't discourage "aesthetic sense, love of nature, passion for music, desire for reflection, or strongly marked independence. To my understanding she wanted the new generation to have love in their hearts and not hate to think peace and that is a motto I believe everyone should live by. ¶

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