The Positive Aspects of the 1960s Counterculture

Modern conservatives tend to identify with the ideologies of the 1960s conservatives, while modern radicals align with the 1960s radicals. However, this oversimplifies the situation in terms of their actual beliefs. Let us examine some of the positive aspects of the 1960s counterculture through a modern lens. Consider the following questions:

Do you consider the notion of a Catholic marrying a Protestant to be controversial?What about a black person marrying a white one?Would a divorced person holding a position of public trust trouble you?

If you answer 'no' to all three, you are more likely to align with the 1960s radicals than with the 1960s conservatives. The 1960s counterculture was marked by great optimism, influential music, and progressive social movements. Virtually no one is prepared to express the beliefs of 1960s conservatives.

Optimism, Music, and Social Movements

The 1960s were a time of great optimism, filled with influential music and a sense that the world was about to become a better place. 'The Revolution' was not just a phrase but a shared belief. I remember hitching a ride and getting picked up by an older man in his 40s, wearing a business suit and tie. As soon as we got in, he started reciting Dylan lyrics: "I had to rearrange their faces and give them all another name" - Desolation Row.

Everyone was talking about "The Revolution." Little did we know that the revolution had already happened, and we had lost our way. We truly believed that we could change the world. Sure, we had anti-war protests and civil rights movements, but there was so much more. We attracted the attention of the media and got our message out. We criticized developments in American society and advocated for social change.

We were convinced that the American government did not consider the needs of common people. Therefore, we urged widespread political action by young people to affect change. We protested and rallied to force the government to address our concerns. We sought to dismantle the status quo and create a more just society.

Belief in Peace and Acceptance

The counterculture of the 1960s was characterized by a strong belief in peace and acceptance. This includes the effort to end racism and sexism. Young people became more politically involved, voicing their opinion and participating in social movements. These efforts paved the way for more inclusive and tolerant societies.

Before the changes, most young women felt obligated to withhold sex, whether for marriage or a serious relationship that both parties agreed was heading towards marriage. Men, on the other hand, sought promiscuous sex. This led to changes that weakened the stigma against sex unrelated to marriage. It took some time to bring women around, but eventually, they began to feel no shame in having sex for fun.

Impact on Sexual Norms

As changes progressed, the sexual landscape began to evolve. For women, this meant that they could now pursue sexual experiences without the expectation of marriage or a serious relationship. For men, this shift brought about a desire for women who were the best-looking, wealthiest, most powerful, most successful, and most athletic. This led to a scenario where men who fit these descriptions were highly desirable, much like Hugh Hefner. However, it was not so positive for ordinary men who found themselves at a disadvantage. Many of them struggled to find steady girlfriends, as women no longer prioritized marriage as a condition for casual sexual encounters.

These changes undoubtedly had both positive and negative impacts. While they brought about more freedom and acceptance, they also led to new challenges and inequalities. The legacy of the 1960s counterculture continues to shape our societies today.