Pro and Con- My Generation

saltwn · #1 (**permalink**) 08-27-2011, 05:57 PM

Here are a few places to start for those who didn't live it. Let's talk about the values and drawbacks of the "hippie generation"

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1960s - Best of Times or Worst of Times?
By some the 1960s are regarded as a period of positive change that brought with it new freedoms. The opening of the Brook Advisory Centre in July 1964, which gave women confidential advice on family planning and contraception, was a turning point in the liberty and freedom of women.

The 1960s was the time when the post-war gloom was finally over and the establishment's stronghold over power was slipping from the older generation's hands. Youth culture began to take more control due to mass teenage rebellions fuelled by frustration and spending money at their fingertips, more than ever before, according to Macmillan's famous catchphrase, "you've never had it so good." London, followed by the rest of Britain became known as 'Cool Britannia' because of Britain's music, fashion and art scenes. The 'swinging sixties' was in full flow, people were out to have fun, experimenting with new influences. It was also the beginning of 'counter culture,' when teens began to challenge traditional conservative values, something that would not have happened during 1950s Britain, when conventional family values and morals were expected to be kept to, otherwise people would be frowned upon. These family values included refraining from sex before marriage, traditional gender roles and the 'know your place' saying regarding class boundaries.

1970s US 01Bad Moon Rising: Escalation, Resolution and Protest in the Vietnam War

"I hear hurricanes a-blowing.
I know the end is coming soon.
I fear rivers overflowing.
I hear the voice of rage and ruin."

- Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Bad Moon Rising" (1969)

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Sexual revolution in 1960s America The 1960s in the United States are often perceived today as a period of profound societal change, one in which a great many politically minded individuals, who on the whole were young and educated, sought to influence the status quo.

Attitudes to a variety of issues changed, sometimes radically, throughout the decade. The urge to 'find oneself', the activism of the 1960s, and the quest for autonomy were characterised by changes towards sexual attitudes at the time.[1] These changes to sexual attitudes and behavior during the period are often today referred to generally under the blanket metaphor of 'sexual revolution'.[2]

Whilst the term 'revolution' implies radical and widespread change, this was not necessarily the case. Even in the 'liberal' sixties, conservative, traditionalist views were widely held, and many modern historians and social scientists are beginning to think that 'revolution' is too much of an overstatement.[3]

Most of the empirical data pertinent to the area only dates back to 1965, somewhat muddying the waters.[4] Despite this, there were changes in sexual attitudes and practices, particularly among the young. Like much of the radicalism from the 1960s, the sexual revolution was often seen to have been centered around the university campus, amongst students.

With its roots in the first perceived sexual revolution in the 1920s, this 'revolution' in 1960s America encompassed many groups who are now synonymous with the era. Feminists, gay rights campaigners, hippies and many other political movements were all important components and facilitators of change.Sexual revolution in 1960s America - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Firstly, the 1972 Time article on “Teen-Age Sex” provides us with a rich source to examine how many parents did fear that their children were being exposed to a growing culture of sexual promiscuity and being granted an unlimited new sexual license. Time magazine itself also provides a good medium in which to study how the “average” American perceived this new moral permissiveness because it reached such a broad audience and generally surveys current widespread hot topics and issues. In the article, we get an in depth view on a wide variety of problems and issues affecting both teenagers and their parents such as increased promiscuity, venereal diseases, pregnancies, abortions, and pressure to lose one’s virginity as well as the effects of casual sex. In addition, the article describes the breakdown of the family as a cause of youth delinquency and is insightful in seeing how college and high school aged boys and girls responded to changing family norms during the early seventies.

1970s US 02

The philosophy of Andy Warhol permeated the entire generation--

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♦I love every "lib" movement there is, because after the "lib" the things that were always a mystique become understandable and boring, and then nobody has to feel left out if they're not part of what is happening. For instance, single people looking for husbands and wives used to feel left out because the image marriage had in the old days was so wonderful. Jane Wyatt and Robert Young. Nick and Nora Charles. Ethel and Fred Mertz. Dagwood and Blondie.

♦I've never met a person I couldn't call a beauty.

♦In some circles where very heavy people think they have very heavy brains, words like "charming" and "clever" and "pretty" are all put-downs; all the lighter things in life, which are the most important things, are put down.

♦I usually accept people on the basis of their self-images, because their self-images have more to do with the way they think than their objective-images do.

♦What’s great about this country is that America started the tradition where the richest consumers buy essentially the same things as the poorest. You can be watching TV and see Coca-Cola, and you know that the President drinks Coke, Liz Taylor drinks Coke, and just think, you can drink Coke, too. A Coke is a Coke and no amount of money can get you a better Coke than the one the bum on the corner is drinking. All the Cokes are the same and all the Cokes are good. Liz Taylor knows it, the President knows it, the bum knows it, and you know it.

♦They always say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.

mlurp · #2 (**permalink**) 08-29-2011, 04:46 PM

Great start salty

Although I can't recall many people say anything about being a liberal, these times were very different than any period in American History. Sex & drugs mostly pot for me and many friends (which I picked up on while in the Army) were using.

I like many where I lived still didn't flaunt it as say those on the west coast in the hippie areas.
We had to deal with parents and families who were from the past. And of course the police who didn't give out warnings.

One of my Nam friends from the same town, little brother was busted twice for half a joint and got time in jail.

As this open cult was far off in the western areas we back east weren't real hippies. And sense I went into the military during the mid 60's I was unaware till I got to the Nam.
Where it seemed many were from CA. or places that were deeper involved.

About the only libbers I heard of were the women bra burners, which of course I was all for.

But as it came into our area I was told I was never a real hippie cause I went to war etc., etc. Which the later got this clown a busted lip and plenty of sore spots.

Heck even playboy was never thought to be Liberal, and we didn't bother with any of the articles, just the pictures.

Politics were not an issue with most of us. As we didn't bother keeping up except for the news at night before going out to have a blast. And we never talked much about what we heard on TV.

Then thinking I was doing the right thing I got married when she started to miss her monthly.
Man were her parents upset. Lucky her aunt worked in the health center and helped get the family back together. My first wife used the health center during the stages and after our daughter was born as they were the follow up after birth..

One of the greatest days in my life. And I trained for better work and jobs. Got deeper into chess and reading and more into DC. Yet it never got me or the wife or friends like today.

And as said. "They always say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." which my wife did by asking me for a divorce. That pulled the rug out from under me, and she meant it as did her family.

Man they made me jump through hoops just to see my daughter.. Which in time the ex would ask her if she wanted to sleep over with friends when I was suppose to see her.

So I worked and partied a lot as the 70's was full bloom with free sex etc.

Anyone else going to share some?

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