Counterculture Movements and Their Decline

This essay examines the phenomenon of counterculture movements, focusing on their emergence in the 1960s with examples like the hippie movement, their influences on art, culture, and environmentalism, and the factors that contributed to their decline. The analysis explores the changing social landscape and the diminished presence of traditional counterculture in modern society while acknowledging the enduring impact of these movements.

ESSAY

Counterculture is regarded as the subculture whose norms along with values of behaviour
differ from those of mainstream society. It is associated with the culture and lifestyle of those
individuals who are against behaviour and dominant values of the society. Counterculture is a
type of protest movement started by American Youth which took place in the late 1960. Young
people living in the society were indulged into practices of forming culture on their own and they
did not preferred to adopt the culture of Middle America. As per view of McConnell (2004)
movement of counter culture took place on the background of Vietnam war and the youngsters
living in the society were highly frustrated due to unethical practices such as gender issues,
racism, conservative nature of the society etc (McConnell, 2004).
The entire group of young people started to question culture along with traditional values
and this adversely affected the entire society. Further, they indulged themselves into practices
such as pop music, drugs etc. Moreover, the entire counter culture reached at its height in the
year 1969 where all the young people attended Woodstock music festival organized at New
York. One of the most significant parts of counter culture was rise in feminism and sentiments of
the same were highlighted in the movies like platoon, deer hunter etc. However Zangara (2002)
argued that in the year1960 the occurrence of counter culture movement was considered to be
rebellion for the society where it has merits along with demerits. It directly rebelled against the
traditions of America and large numbers of people who are basically marginalized are provided
support through this counter culture attitude. The main motive behind formation of
counterculture was formation of better world where lifestyle along with standard of living is
different from other type of societies (Zangara, 2002).
The period of 1960 is regarded as the hippie counter culture craze that assaulted live of
every individual living in United States and all around the world (The Counter Culture
Movement and its Effects., 2016). The counter culture movement introduced by Hippie
considered variety of social beliefs along with concerns. Generally, they were dissatisfied with
their parents and due to this reason they rejected middle class values, established institutions etc.
Apart from this, they took initiative to indulge into eco friendly practices, participated in art and
listened to folk music. Moreover, they were in opposition of social along with political violence
and promoted gentle ideology. As per view of Vos, D. A. Dewettinck and Buyens (2008) large
number of reasons are present due to which Hippie movement declined where drug addiction
along crime is one of them. In order to accomplish higher form of awareness individuals

associated with this movement used drugs and it directly lead to overdosing and crime. Further,
due to this reason crimes, rape and other type of unethical activities increased up to extent.
Destruction of the Hippie capital was another reason behind decline of this movement (Vos,
Dewettinck and Buyens, 2008). Arrival of individuals into the state was quite high and due to
excess population large number of diseases began to spread. However argued that Manson along
with Altamont murders was one of the significant reasons behind decline in Hippie movement.
Overall image of Hippie movement damaged the heinous Manson murders. End of Vietnam war
also one of the reason behind decline in movement where protesting the entire war was the main
motive that held the movement together. So, these were the few main reasons which have lead to
end of the movement named Hippie.
On the other hand Punk subculture is also linked with this movement which centres on
punk rock music and takes into consideration fashion and other form of expressions. This
subculture is directly reviewed by promotion of individual freedom. Style of living along with
other form of attributes of this subculture is different and they basically focused on fashion. As
per view of the main stress of this culture was on music, fashion, visual art, dance etc (Wilson,
2012). Further, their lifestyle was totally different from other communities. Therefore, soon this
type of counter culture was also not sustainable and they began to decline. Generally these types
of subcultures are not acceptable in the society as they promote drug, crime and other form of
unethical activities. Apart from this, their way of living along with other styles differs from other
in every possible manner.
As per view of Perera (2015) in the modern era counterculture does not exist at all where
individuals living in the society and youngsters prefer to follow values along with moral
principles of the society. Day by day existence of counter culture is decreasing in the society and
its presence is no more felt. Individuals who are associated with this concept are generally
oppositional but in today’s world such type of individuals are not found (Perera, 2015). Further,
internet as a medium has encouraged large number of cultures to grow and their perception has
totally changed. People living in US have started to adopt every type of culture especially
youngsters and it is contributing in the welfare of society. However Bhaddock (2011) argued that
today there may be no definitive counterculture but on the other hand different social scenes
have continued to exist as counterculture. In the 21st century most popular groups such as punks,
indies etc have questioned in relation with the ways through which “War on Terror” is being

carried out. Such groups are indulged into the practices of preventing excessive use of
technology and promotes art along with music etc (Bhaddock., 2011).
So, the overall analysis has supported in knowing that counterculture does not exist in the
modern society. In some way the initiatives taken by this group were favourable such as
promotion of art and culture, protecting environment etc. Apart from this, its unfavourable side
involve drugs, opposition of American culture etc. This adversely affected the entire American
society especially parents whose young childrens were part of this group. In the modern era,
presence of counterculture is very less felt where all the young individuals have started to adopt
values along with moral values of the society and in turn opposition is very less. This kind of
opposition in the society is generally not acceptable and this has lead to decline of various
movements such as Hippie etc.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
McConnell, S. W., 2004. The Counterculture Movement of the 1960s. Greenhaven Press.
Zangara, M. J., 2002. The US feminist art movement: a selective annotated bibliography.
Reference Services Review. 30(1) .pp.49 – 61.
Vos, D. A. Dewettinck, K. and Buyens, D., 2008. To move or not to move?: The relationship
between career management and preferred career moves. Employee Relations.
30(2) .pp.156 – 175.
Online
Bhaddock., 2011. The Hippie Counter Culture Movement (1960’s). [Online]. Accessed through
<http://www.mortaljourney.com/2011/03/1960-trends/hippie-counter-culture-movement>.
[Accessed on 8th March 2016].
Perera, T., 2015. 5 Reasons Why the Hippie Movement Declined. [Online]. Accessed through
http://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/california/articles/5-reasons-why-the-hippie-
movement-declined/. [Accessed on 8th March 2016].
The Counter Culture Movement and its Effects., 2016. [Online]. Accessed through
https://brainmass.com/history/cold-war/the-counter-culture-movement-and-its-effects-
285642. [Accessed on 8th March 2016].
Wilson, K., 2012. The Decline of the 1960s Counterculture and the Rise of Thatcherism.
[online]. Accessed through http://kennywilson.org/2012/12/31/the-decline-of-the-1960s-
counterculture-and-the-rise-of-thatcherism/. [Accessed on 8th March 2016].