The Hippie Counterculture: an interdisciplinary analysis

Sara Aboujaoude (2163520)

Department of Social Sciences, Vanier College

Culture and Identities: Integrative Project

May 15, 2023

Jennifer Fletcher
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Abstract

During the 60s, a psychedelic revolution aiming for social change occurred. The Hippie

movement had for objective to counter social hierarchy through a less conservative way of life,

including clothing, drug use, and communes, promoting peace, and participating in social

movements and change. Therefore, this counterculture had a widespread impact on past and

current society. First, the historical context and events of the prior decades motivated the

hippies in their quest for peace and left us with a non-tangible legacy. Furthermore, the Hippie

movement was also a counterculture and used deviance as a means of communication. Finally,

through acceptance of queerness and the battle for women’s rights, the hippies promoted peace

and countered discriminatory laws.

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The Hippie Counterculture: an interdisciplinary analysis

Introduction

Throughout history, youth has been known of able to move mountains and change the

world through social and political movements. For example, Black Lives Matter emerged from

the youth’s willingness of defending black people’s rights by sharing content on social media

and mass protests. Due to the fact that they are very common, youth movements aiming for

change were not all majorly successful. Social reform initiatives rarely adopt a counterculture

guise, which is why the 1960s hippie movement stood out in particular. In the late 60s, the state

of the war in Vietnam, systematic and interpersonal racism, and environmental issues were

constantly declining. As a result, a psychedelic revolution, which is characterized by a total

change in everyday life, began and promoted love toward everyone. In addition, the

counterculture encouraged hostility towards anyone or anything that incited hatred (Miller,

2012). This movement was more than a protest since it was also a way of life.

The Hippie movement had for objective to counter social hierarchy through a less

conservative way of life, including clothing, drug use, and communes, promoting peace, and

participating in social movements and change. Therefore, this counterculture had a widespread

impact on past and current society. First, understanding the historical context at that time and the

actions taken by the Hippie movement is important to understand their goals. Furthermore,

sociology studies social behavior and phenomena, which brings us to ask: What is a

counterculture and how did the hippies conform to this definition? As such, we are also intrigued

by deviance and the manner in which the Hippies employed it as a means of expressing their

viewpoints. Thirdly, gender studies evolved during the 60s and 70s with the emergence of the

feminist and queer movements. How did the feminist and queer movements cross paths with the
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hippie movement and how did they influence each other? Furthermore, what legacy did they

leave us? Therefore, each discipline that I identified, and the theories and concepts associated

with them, will be used to analyze the different faces of the Hippie counterculture in the

upcoming paragraphs.

The Hippie Movement: an analysis from a historical approach

By looking at the historical context of the 60s and the decades prior, and the events

characterizing the years of activity of the Hippies, it is shown that Hippies had for objective to

counter social hierarchy, promote peace, and participate in social movements and change. By

analyzing the historic events of those years, it is possible to find the roots of the Hippie

movement, which were the recurrent wars at that time, the Civil Rights movement, and the

environmental issues. First, it is argued that the main motivation behind the activism of the 60s is

the consequences of the two World Wars that occurred around that time. The generation that

lived during the Great Depression was suppressed and unhappy with many political decisions.

Also, the youth constantly argued that the old generation does not know how to live peacefully

by witnessing the Holocaust and the Hiroshima attack during the Second World War (Harisson,

1992). Also, the U.S. implication in the Vietnam War triggered many individuals and started an

anti-war movement guided by protests and civil disobedience. Therefore, peace activists, known

as the hippies, saw a need for peace-making in the world. Secondly, the Civil Rights movement

is known as an enormous implication in the peace movement and the women’s rights movement,

which walked hand in hand. Tom Haden, a leader in the youth movement of the 1960s stated that

meeting Martin Luther King Jr. changed him and motivated him to pursue his quest for peace.

Taking conscience of the flaws in the law, related to Black people’s rights, makes everyone think

deeper about how social hierarchy is constructed and what needs to be changed in it (Harisson,
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1992). Thirdly, the destruction of the environment, caused by the industrialization of America,

created, in the youth, a reaction and a devotion to protecting it (Miller, 2012).

Through historical events led by the Hippies, they were able to counter social hierarchy

to express their message of peace. This movement, which originated in America, spread out

internationally and was also relevant in Montreal. In the summer of 1967, known as “Summer of

Love”, communities started growing and people, by wearing beads in their hair, showed that they

are advocates for love. Also, in a small town named Haight-Asbury, a homosexual community of

hippies was born (Horward 1969). For instance, in 1967, the youth hung out in hidden places,

gathered around LSD and marijuana, to party and live as independent creatures. Montreal also

knew a smaller scale of the “Summer of Love”, where colors, various patterns, and Rock and

Roll roamed the streets. Slowly, taboo subjects, such as drugs and sex, started headlining

newspapers, and discussions about abortion, divorce, and other religious dilemmas were brought

up. The waves of thinking promoted by the counterculture circulated in Montreal and the youth

started rebelling against all authority figures (father, boss, priests, and teachers). After the Great

Depression, Quebecers experienced peace and freedom in the utopic world that they lived in

(Warren, 2013).

Theories often used by historians to analyze historic events, which are derived from the

socio-historic branch of history, are the theories of social change. This theory promotes the idea

that society, through interactions and historic events, modifies cultural events and institutions

over the years. Social change occurs naturally over the years, and is impacts the course of history

(Smelser, 1988). As explored in the previous paragraph, the post-war factors (World War II and

Cold War) incited the hippies to reject traditional values. Historical events and political issues
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made them act upon their opinions. Therefore, social movements are the main mean to reach

social change (Smelser, 1988).

The Hippie Movement: an analysis from a sociological approach

Secondly, through deviance and the social characteristics forming a counterculture, the

Hippies had for objective to counter social hierarchy, promote peace, and participate in social

movements and change. As mentioned in the introduction, this movement was different since it

proposed a new way of life and therefore, created a culture. A counterculture is a way of life or

attitudes opposing the dominating culture, or in other words, the norm (Davis, 2012). The hippies

conformed to this definition in many ways. The members of this subculture were deviant in

different aspects of their lives, including drug use, sex life, music, community life, and ethics.

First, hippies openly express that there is no problem with consuming drugs such as marijuana

and LSD every day and that it can also be beneficial for insight gain and relaxation purposes

(Davis & Munoz, 1968). Good drugs, which made individuals feel free and turn on their vision

and sense of clarity, were identified as dope, and bad drugs, such as alcohol and nicotine, were

seen as dulling drugs (Miller, 2012). Furthermore, patterns of drug use also helped define social

roles within their community. “Heads”, which were hallucinogen consumers, were identified as

such because we consider that they are trying to find “where their head is at”. (Davis & Munoz,

1968). As for their social characteristics, they were mostly older, around their mid-twenties, and

less engaged in activism. They were mostly full-time workers in small shops, artists, graduate

students, writers, and more (Davis & Munoz, 1968). On the other hand, “freaks”, which were

acid and speed shooters, were identified as such because their drug dependence often ruins their

social interactions and relationships. “Freaks” were generally found within the most disoriented

parts of society (Davis & Munoz, 1968). According to the hippies, drugs feel good, and using
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them is a major revolution mean. Hippies argued that society suppressed anything that is fun, and

that Americans lived in a very serious, say boring, culture (Miller, 2012). Their recurrent practice

of drugs, which are often hallucinogens, also comes from their will to make everyone sexually

aroused. Hallucinogens are known to heighten sexual pleasure and create an illusion of longer

orgasms (Miller, 2012). Sex life is another important component of the deviant nature of hippies.

By the same logic as reasons for drug use, everyone should be able to express themselves as they

wish. Hippie counterculturists claim that sex is healthy and that sexual impulses should not be

retained. Also, nudity was highly accepted since it represented love for the body and everything

that comes with it. Masturbation, group sex, voyeurism, and more were not taboo anymore but

praised and encouraged (Miller, 2012). As Miller explains, nudity is very important since it is

extremely provocative and non-violent, and it expresses the main thing that hippies are fighting

for: freedom (Miller, 2012). Furthermore, hippies had distinctive clothing and music style. Rock

was used a second language because it was perfectly linked with the ethics of the hippie

movement. It is sexual, physical, strong, and an amazing way of spreading this message to wider

society (Miller, 2012). That said, it is possible to recognize a hippie from far away.

Therefore, what makes deviance and each element building this counterculture helpful in

the goals of the hippies? Many theories of deviance attempt to explain the impact that deviance

has when aiming for social change. One example is the following: Howard suggests that there

are two types of deviance, which each emerge from the same context. Vertical deviance occurs

when someone from a lower rank in society tries to enjoy the privileges of someone superior. On

the other hand, lateral deviance occurs when a group of people from a lower rank create new

norms and a way of life opposing the superior and dominant rank (Howard, 1969). The hippie

counterculture conforms to the definition of lateral deviance and shows that deviance creates an
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enormous reaction from the wider society. In addition, drugs, being illegal, enhanced the

deviance in their love for them and therefore, enhanced the power of the movement overall

(Davis and Munoz, 1968). To sum up, deviance is a form of peaceful protest that projects

individualism and the wish for freedom. Through deviance, Hippies counter social hierarchy,

promote peace and participate in social change.

The Hippie Movement: an analysis from a gender studies approach

To continue, the Hippie movement had as goals to counter social hierarchy, promote

peace and freedom, and participate in movements of social change. Since American society had

previously been quite conservative and traditional, women’s rights were not always respected. In

the past, men's femininity and homosexuality were both condemned, if not outlawed. The hippie

movement, which emerged around the same time as the feminist movement, shared common

ideas and openly accepted homosexuality. That said, the queer movement flourished around the

same time, with the help and influence of the Hippie movement.

Around the 1960s, the feminist theory, which argues that women should have the same

rights as men, arises and takes more place. For example, it is revealed that women, such as Betty

Friedman, started criticizing the tradition of domesticity for women, claiming that American

women should have different opportunities regarding the way that they want to live their lives.

Friedman states that women were surrounded by the great pressure of conforming to the typical

family image, which suppressed the opportunity for women to have a personality and individual

needs of their own (Suri, 2009). Around the same time, the counterculture arose, discussing

many social issues such as racism, sexism, and violence. Since the movement was about freedom

and individualism, it had an impact on the feminist movement, and vice versa. The hippies aimed

for social change, and the real issue with women’s rights at that time was all about lack of
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freedom and poor social organization. Women from all over the world adopted the ideas

suggested by this enormous activist group and applied them to their lives and battles (Suri,

2009). In addition, the vision of femininity and whom it can apply to start changing around the

same time.

As mentioned previously, youth was transforming society in a radical way, battling for

issues every day. Femininity and homosexuality were seen as particularly disturbing by

conservative people. However, the hippies argued that these concepts are part of the natural

human state (Kelley, 2000). That said, different artworks, mainly theatre, and films, presented

men dressed as women or men portrayed in a feminine way. For example, The Coquettes, a

theatre group of hippies, presented men and women in extravagant costumes and feminine poses,

which screamed: “freedom”, therefore making the hippies cross paths with this new idea of

“queerness” (Kelley, 2000). Music produced throughout those years, from Elvis to Jim Morrison,

embraced homosexuality strongly through sexual attitudes and lyrics (Kelley, 2000). It is shown

that this era in time massively contributed to public homosexuality acknowledgment. Hippies

argued, through five arguments, that homosexuality is freedom of expression and that it should

be accepted. First, they argue that homosexuality is natural since you can certainly obtain

pleasure by manipulation from anyone. Secondly, Hippies stood by the fact that everyone has the

right to choose their preferred sexual partner. Thirdly, they argued that with consent, adults have

the freedom to do whatever they want, without being controlled by the harmful hierarchy.

Finally, they claimed that hatred and discrimination toward homosexuals must stop. These

people were advocates of peace and social change. At that time, discrimination impacted job

opportunities, money, social freedom, and more (Miller, 2012). To sum up, interactions between
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different human rights movements regarding gender and the hippie movement allowed the

hippies to promote peace and create social change.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Hippie movement, which compared to other movements, presented

itself as a counterculture, had for objective to counter social hierarchy and participate in social

change and movements. This interdisciplinary subject brings many questions to the table, which

are answerable through research. First, what was the historical context at that time, and what did

the hippies do in the 60s and 70s? Wars, environmental crises, and the Civil Rights movement

encouraged the hippies in their quest for peace. Secondly, what is a counterculture and how did

the Hippies conform to this definition? The hippies lived in a completely deviant way to create

reactions and protest the traditional, said boring, American society. Deviance, often associated

with law-breaking, helped counter social hierarchy. Thirdly, how did the Hippie movement walk

hand in hand with the feminist and queer movements? The hippies, by love and appreciation for

true human nature, accepted and promoted queerness and women’s rights. They advanced both

theories and movements with the ideas they promoted.

Until now, traces of the Hippie counterculture are found in our lives. LEGACY. Many

waves of acceptance of different ethnicities, races, queerness, and rights started hand in hand

with the Hippie movement. In the real world, especially today, each member of the youth acts as

a contributor or an objector to this movement since battles for the liberty of expression,

acceptance of homosexuality, and the fight against racism are highly promoted. In a way,

modern youth is the continuity of the Hippie Movement, which aimed for social change. This

topic is a good way to explore one’s own opinion on life and various modern movements.

Furthermore, this topic, which we already learn about in school, should be integrated into many
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social science programs since it incorporates discussion about many sociological, political, and

historical issues. However, could youth recreate an international movement, in the form of a

counterculture or not, in order to communicate a message?

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Harrison, B. T. (1992). ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN PROTEST OF THE 60’S. Peace

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Howard, J. R. (1969). The flowering of the hippie movement. The Annals of the American

Academy of Political and Social Science, 382, 43–55.

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Warren, J.-P. (2013). Les premiers hippies québécois. Liberté, (299), 22–24.