1960S COUNTERCULTURE

Objectives

Identify the norms and values of Post-WWII America (1950’s)

Understand the concept of what a counterculture is.

Identify the reasons why a counterculture formed in the U.S. in the 1960s

Example of Counterculture Singer Tom Paxton

Culture vs. Counterculture Current Example

Counterculture

“Every dominant culture has within it groups of people who are at odds with its values and norms, and who form countercultures in response.”

So, to study counterculture, we must first look at the dominant culture

1950’s

Watch this slide show. Look at each picture and determine what values are represented.

In your notebook, write down the values of the 1950s

Images of the 1950’s

1950s

What made up culture in the 1950’s?

What are the values and norms?

So, what can we assume the counterculture is going to look like?

Why Things Change

Baby Boomers (1946-1960)

Dr. Spock’s Child Rearing Methods

Why Things Change

MLK Nobel Peace Prize Speech

Mario Savio’s Speech

Bob Dylan

What complaints do these individuals have with the dominant culture?

The Counterculture

What do

you think

of when

You think

of hippies

Positive?

Negative?

Values of Counterculture

Can you find any you agree with?

Do Your Own Thing – Do what you want as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else. Don’t be forced to act and behave the way your parents and society tell you that you should. Be who you want to be.

Values of Counterculture

Can you find any you agree with?

Live Simply– The fewer things you need to make you happy, the less you have to work and the more time you will have to do the things you like to do. Enjoy the things in life that are free. Share with others so that everyone has what they need.

Values of Counterculture

Can you find any you agree with?

Love is the answer – Hate and anger lead to fighting and war. Learn to accept others for who they are. Show kindness to others, even if they are not kind to you. Do not be ashamed of sex, its natural and healthy.

Values of Counterculture

Can you find any you agree with?

Explore Your Inner Self – Meditate and commune with nature to help you find your inner voice. Explore many religions and find parts of each that you like best. Use hallucinogenic drugs as a tool for spiritual growth.

Values of Counterculture

Can you find any you agree with?

Express Yourself – Self expression brings joy. Don’t be afraid to try out new things. Dance, sing, play an instrument and write poems even if you have never done it before. Wear whatever you want, even if others don’t think it is normal.

Values of Counterculture

Can you find any you agree with?

Drop Out – Society has gotten so bad that it can’t be fixed. Find others like you and live together as your own mini-society. If you can, get as far away from society as you can by joining a commune in the wilderness.

Values of Counterculture

Do your own thing Live Simply Love is the answer Explore your inner self Drop Out What other groups of society might agree

with some of these values and norms? Are these different than what we thought

of for our stereotypical hippie?

Values of Counterculture

What are the reasons why we feel the way we do about counterculture (hippies)?

Stereotyping Intolerance of a dominant culture

The counterculture grows out of the dominant culture. A result of the dominant culture.

Summer of Love

Part 1 Part 2