The Hippie Movement: Media, Subculture, and Societal Significance

This essay delves into the relationship between media and the hippie subculture, examining the historical, social, and political significance of the movement. It defines media culture and subculture, then explores the hippie movement's origins, values (including love, truth, environmentalism, and compassion), and its impact. The essay analyzes how media coverage contributed to the movement's popularity and how the hippies' values influenced their lifestyles and societal contributions. The essay also discusses the issues faced by the movement, such as drug use, and concludes by highlighting the movement's lasting impact on environmentalism and cultural values. The essay also includes an analysis of the environmental values of the hippie movement and their significance.

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Media Culture

MEDIA CULTURE 1
Media culture refers to the civilization which is been impacted, guided and overall
emerged by the media. Media plays a major role in current era where it uses a medium to
transfer information where communication components are used to deliver necessary
information by cinema, print media form or any other source. Simultaneously, subculture
is related to those groups who pursue such values and ethics which makes them different
from the culture or majority living nearby (Purcell, 2015). By including both the terms,
‘Hippie’ was one of such youth subculture movement of mid 1960s era which included
those youths who does not live by society’s standards with a liberal attitude and lifestyle.
Whereby, these youth groups created their very own communities and had their strong
hold upon peace, love and freedom where media significantly had played a huge role. The
purpose of this essay is to discuss media and subculture meaning, with historical, social
and political significance of youth subculture movement, analysing associated values of
youth subculture movement with a relevant image reflecting values of that movement.
Hippie movement was originated in college campuses in US which later influenced with
its impact on other countries too. This movement gained ample amount of public attention
with the help of mass media and its coverage made this movement more popular among
youths. People part of that movement were very easy to identify as they all used to look
similar and wore almost similar clothes which were out of social norms including ripped
jeans, floral attires and accessories with long hair and beards. Mostly, part of this
movement comprised of teenagers and young adults between the age of 15-25 years where
young generations never believed in imposing self-thoughts, ideas and beliefs on others
(Scott, 2017). Subculture movements has been significant since those times where for the
very first time this youth movements came into existence as a ‘punk movement’ which
was supported and has proven to be leading since those times (1960-1970). This
movement marked its place and landed itself in history textbooks where it will be
remembered by generations, as it marked those times where no one ever changed in such a
way and gave meaning to life by following own values and beliefs. Also, it established a
cultural revolution which made these hippies different from others and with different
cultures. From political perspective, hippies never desired for big government as for them
even protest and fight for existence was senseless and waste of time. This movement was
less preferred to be interrupted by any sort of political pressure as these youth subculture
group has their firm believe upon peace and in spreading love. Whereas, social
significance was made when in the seventies, hippie subculture groups developed solar

MEDIA CULTURE 2
panel to generate electricity. Also, they produced pesticide free fruits as well as vegetables
which took the spotlight towards hippie movement by society as it also promoted their
mission to spread love and peace towards every living being on planet (Dixon, 2016).
Values are beliefs which individuals carry, where these beliefs are the ones which serve as
a guide for behaviour human possess. Associated values with youth subculture movement
had inherent worth with a core centralisation on love, truth and freedom. Hippies believed
in going with flow and retained their hippy value of music appreciation which introduced
them with various music functionalities to get a deeper insight and appreciation for all
types of music. Hippie values let one explore spirituality by following the path of truth,
peace, love, being right and following right and promoting non-violence. These values
fundamentally lead to healthy, vibrant and feasible work career and leads to success as
truth makes communication more honest and full of trust which leads to creative and wise
decision making (Dunn, 2016). Whereas, value of love makes one noble on caring for
others and non- violence converts everything into wining situation with the motive of
peace and being harmless regardless of any situation. Another value associated with hippie
movement includes being transformational by changing values within and which teaches
to be fairer and do justice more effectively with general human standards. It makes one
more charismatic, with a clear vision and makes one believe in a particular thing. People
of this movement also followed the value of compassion which makes one thought about
misfortune of others. This value lets one open towards the reality of sufferings and seeking
its coping methods which also leads in perceiving others suffering or needs, emotional
attachments growing stronger towards others needs or sufferings and responding
immediately with a measure to overcome suffering. Significantly, studies have found that
following such value leads to improvement in health and wellbeing which ensures
authentic living. It also opens ones heart with enrichment of self-perspective and identity
by discovering common factors with others (Forman, 2016). Furthermore, it also increases
happiness with many other such factors like enabling to be better connected by improving
relationships and inspiring loyalty as well as commitments. Most importantly, compassion
increases possibility for peace and also inspires further acts of this value.
Environmentalism is another vale associated with the youth subculture movement, Hippie.
This value considers moral as well as ethical relationship of human beings with the
environment. Whereby, this value justifies nature being importantly considered as it too
has a right to exist and is independent from human desires (Barnhart & Mish, 2017).

MEDIA CULTURE 3
Independency was another value which was followed by hippie youth subculture group.
This value follows path of independent voice and creating willingness to experiment,
explore while searching for better understandings. This value follows no dependent policy
and exercise what seems right which develops confidence and enhances inner abilities.
Whereas, other such related values include being impartial which with a clear motive of
this movement follows the principle of justice while taking decisions based on rationality
rather being bias over one side without benefiting just one. An impartial person usually
follows high ethical standards where respect is prioritized towards all with honesty,
fairness and respectful engagement with society and culture (Moretta, 2017).
Youth subculture movement also associates value of humanity as the only religion to be
followed. It believes in providing aid to those whose necessity is to be fulfilled in the form
of water, food, shelter to relief people in unfortunate situations. It’s a great thing for a
human to develop such a value where they understand others struggle and loss converting
into grief. Whereby, this value never seek a human to work against some sort of praise
where the only difference this value creates is by initiating bit difference in world to make
someone else life better and by giving little hope (Golden, 2016). It also motivated many
community values like initiating a change as a first step within self by being first leading
example. Also, it believed in being transparent and fair in every circumstance while
interacting with others with a firm believe towards quality in decision making. Community
values also develop a strong belief of applying no shortcuts in the path of success with
regular improvements in all areas of life.
Progress should be celebrated every time no matter in what size it is in for which gratitude
should be expressed every time for whatever has been achieved so far. Therefore, it also
teaches an individual to be more positive towards every negative impact like failure where
one should consider it as a requirement before success. Hence, it also develops a sense of
understanding towards less privileged ones and giving it back to them by fulfilling those
needs. Most importantly, this movement grew with the ladder of values which included
love for nature to value diversity and flexibility of nature while treasuring its beauty
(CACM Staff, 2018). It also delivered passion and commitment value with inspiration and
deeply considered people and community building learning ability from experiences,
beliefs which builds diversified conversation communities which taught every time to
respect people. This movement also reflected great ability to work together in a team and
to accept challenges and opportunities because of which creativity and innovation was

MEDIA CULTURE 4
encouraged with respect towards the point of view of any person. Whereas, issues related
to this movement were in quite good number disregard to their values being centralised in
starting. One of the major issues was about their ‘coolness’ which was nothing more than
being against society’s norms and value which led to excess use of drugs which was the
birth reason of their movement and was developed upon resistance towards drug ban by
the government. This as the foremost factor gave rise to youth moving towards wrong
direction and was totally unacceptable by the society. This got hit among youths in
quickest manner with a mentality to change a feeling and motive to feel different. This
was promoted out of curiosity and boredom for fun, in order to get socialised and flow
with an emergence of necessity required to be more relaxed (Cape Fear River Assembly,
2011).
Source: (Chang, 2014)
Hippies in their weirdest forms came out to be great environmentalist while also
promoting love and affection towards nature. An environmentalist is a person who protects
natural surroundings from harmful polluting effects of society. Values show individuals
laying emphasis on what’s more important based on personal principles or standard. By
holding such values guide behaviour towards nature and shapes social identity and
cultures. Environmentalist values are based upon scales which are categorized in three
forms based on values relevant to self-interest, concern for others and concern for
environment. A self-interest value promotes environment safeguarding personal values,
whereas value out of concern is developed for enhancing quality of life for humans with
an equal concern towards environment. These values promote social good towards society

MEDIA CULTURE 5
by the support of other people’s attitude towards environment is based upon how
individuals are affected by them. It defines virtuous relationship of humans with moral
status of environment and its non-human factors. Under this value, certain principles are
followed having respect for nature as a foremost priority. Also, it follows the principle to
maintain a pleasant sounding relationship with other living species which every hippie
took as a responsibility which made them more active in regards with nature with local
environment knowledge which was important to have knowledge about with a plan for its
long-term security. This value is very well reflected in above image, where a hippie is seen
taking an initiative towards their value and beliefs towards nature in regard to their
movement. Whereas, this value also led towards sustainability ethics which was a
discipline factor that analysed issues related to moral responsibility for future generations
regarding environment (Ashbolt, 2018).
Alerting moments with respect to which environmental value wants more emphasis are
due to global warming impacts, growing pollution and such other failures of human which
requires sustainability. Other such movements established by hippies include reusability of
products where they can be reclaimed with reduction in source waste and pollution which
requires change in consumption patterns. Another goal of this movement included being
innovative where new alternatives are developed via technologies. Their values were
established majorly upon trees growth and praising nature where trees were only meant to
grow and no to cut. Planting tree was their major concern which was developed with a
cop-up feature where it helped in reduction in air temperature and clean oxygen. For
instance, many hippies rejected modern society ideologies and their industrialization
where they just believed in simple lifestyle with peace and harmony with ecosystem which
shapes hippie culture and belief in communal living, regard and love for nature and
peaceful living. The first earth day on April 22 was suggested by Wisconsin Senator
Gaylord in which hippies played a huge role despite of their drug consumption and
lifestyles. For them destruction caused to planet was quite upsetting for which they were
initiated with rallies and affirmation because of which they tried to turn colleges and
universities (Stubbins & Bernicker, 2019). In those times where Americans were under the
influence of large smoke belched out through industries which later resulted in air
pollution managed to get over 20 million Americans were gathered on streets, parks to
demand healthy environment where thousands of colleges and universities too organised a
protest against oil spills, losing wilderness, toxic gases emerging from industries and toxic

MEDIA CULTURE 6
dumps. This whole movement made hippies more raised upon their values which they
preached were resulted in a good impact too, where they even established earth day in
order to forever cherish and regard nature. Vehicles are biggest threat towards nature
because of its harmful gas release since those times. Considerably, to be an
environmentalist, hippies gave more preference to natural friendly accommodation mode
to contribute more towards nature. Also, they had preferred recycle reuse concept where
they even used such clothes or materials which were either very cheap or any creative
approach towards it. Even studies have shown that buying fashion can cause 23kg of
greenhouse gases for every 1kg of fabric due to which government has also taken certain
measures and implemented policies due to emergence of global warming effects and
environmental complications (Wright, 2018).
Source: (Goa Villa, 2019)
This image gives visual representation of moat preferred value of ‘Peace’ with which it
explains the way in which life was influenced by ideology of peace and love. However,
Hippie lifestyles were considered as a joke for the conventional citizens due to their
radical beliefs, hair and dressing styles. They just believed in walking upon their own
beats with zero care for materialistic lifestyles, living upon own values and beliefs. They
even took stand for topics about which they truly cared about through protests and rallies.
It was also an interesting fact that how hippies rejected American values and made their
own life terms and values. Though, there were certain disapproving look-outs too with
hippies like drugs, still they cared enough about lives of people nearby. For instance, they
also protested with almost thousands to bring back soldiers and they also opposed Vietnam
War because of moral, ethical and illegal reasons with a fear of ‘sovereign’ US

MEDIA CULTURE 7
intervention. This intervention gave rise to ‘draft’ system which threatened lower and
middle class people against which they even protested (Poon, 2016).
Every individual is born with complete uniqueness and free spirit, which was identified
and developed within every hippie. Those who are born with such inbuilt quality have
great imaginations, are creative and spend most of their times in engaging experiences and
learning. Enjoying freedom means to create such an attitude of being unrestricted from
expectations laid by people around. Whereas, hippies also did not limit their boundaries of
growth as the only derived aspect was their lives to grow. Their lifestyle was based on
environment, mentality and experiences. They were more like wanderers who had a soul
filled with peace and love towards every aspect of life. Act of peace is been reflected
through above image as for hippies, peace began with slogan, ‘Make Love, Not War’
(Daily News, 2017). For them peace was a state where integrity was promoted with lack of
violent conflict and free spirit from any fear of violence which was considered essential
for a significant progress of humanity. Peace is developed upon path of truth and justice
which as an ideology was adapted by hippies which is either managed by certain
international morality standards or resides within an individual. This value with hippie
movement context taught to love every living body regardless of any category, promoting
non-violence, respecting every living body with a blend of smile, laugh and love. Different
areas covering aspects of peace includes economics (eradication of poverty), politics
(democracy and good governance), and social harmony (0 conflicts and fair distribution of
justice). Basic sources of peace comprises of social and inner peace where importance
should also be given to peace within nature and environment. At peace, behaviour
encourages integrity in the way individual listen, talk or interacts and putt offs actions
which hurt, or destroy anybody’s sentiments. Hippies used to chant and sing or play music
promoting peace throughout the streets. They always preached that behaviour of
individuals should not bother a person’s inner peace which for Hippies, laid more
emphasis upon less care and less concern towards what other think or how they react. This
is what inner peace comprises of being an essential part of life. Furthermore, peace is a
strategic value which promotes human rights and which helps in developing and
maintaining overall peace and to develop friendly relations across the globe irrespective of
any category humans are divided into. Hence, peace as a value is centralised vehicle for
unity and harmony with transformative abilities influencing behavioural aspects. It builds

MEDIA CULTURE 8
awareness with development of understanding and concern which actualizes non-violence,
justice and environmental care with inner peace values (Young, 2012).
In conclusion, Hippie movement was developed with an aim to spread love, peace, harmony
towards nature and non-violence. This movement laid importance towards freedom which
was expressed by the way these youth groups used to do their hair including their dressing
styles which were kind of similar for all types of genders. Also, music served as the best way
to express which usually helped them to reach masses for support. Due to media and its
impact, this movement is still in the spark and is followed by some who are definitely not like
Hippies of those times but still can be related at a certain extinct, seen with some of the
qualities hippies used to possess. Although, this movement was not successful towards it
global reach and forever stayed in history and minds of people it definitely created a history
by being an active initiator in establishing 12th April as Earth day which was termed as
modern environmental movement, is been celebrated every year since 1970. It also
challenged gender differences of those times as dressing preferences were almost same within
every human who was part of their subculture movement. Whereas, many values were also
associated within this youth subculture part which in current scenario reflects in appearances
only and forms tuning with similar kinds either through music or related cultural fests.
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MEDIA CULTURE 9
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