Positive Influence of Hippies on Canadian Society in the 1960s free essay sample

The word hippies generally invoke sterotypes that involves drugs, sex and bare feet. Though it is true that many hippies did practice these sterotypes, they were people who fought for rights and freedom without violence. They gave up the traditional morals and values to promote new values that were about freedom of experssion and loving each other. After getting the attention, they expressed their needs, hopes and wants in a piercing yet nonviolent way. The hippies made great, positive changes to the Canadian society through their riots and protests for peaceful resolutions, encouragement of feminism, and their unique fashion. Hippies held enforcing protets for their freedom, against the Vietnam war, and for enviromental issues. The police in Vancouver did not like the counterculture of hippies. There was a sit-in and the police was going to break it up but the next time over 20 000 peopole came to support them. The protests against Vietnam war originally came from America, however from this picture you can see how active Canada was as well. We will write a custom essay sample on Positive Influence of Hippies on Canadian Society in the 1960s or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The hippies of Canada tried to voice their opinions with slogans such as â€Å"U. S. Troops get out of Vietnam. † [2] This was a positive impact on Canadian society because of the sense on nationalism and how we are going to against America. During the 60s Canadians are very much following the US. In this case Canadians are against American foreign affairs making the Canadians more independent form US policies. The first important environmental movement in Canada was led by an organization called Greenpeace. They were against the nuclear testing that was being done in Alaska and protested by sailing on a regular fishing boat to the city of Amchitka. [3] As the hippie movement died out in the seventies, the environmental movement still lives on fighting for justice of our mother nature. Environmental activists or feminist activists are all branches of the hippie movement that positively influenced Canadian society to stand up for what is right. The second wave of feminism was the movement of the view of females in society the birth control, and divorce. There is controversy on how women are viewed in society. Some believe that they are the left hand to everything. â€Å"But no sooner had we started some small events, than some hippie look alike would begin distributing fliers promoting some leftist cause. †[4] Women were however very involved with the hippie movement. The anti-Vietnam movement of the hippies in Canada got women active politically, and these radicalized women noticed that there is so much more they can expand in. The freedom over a womans body was very limited up until the government leaglised the birth control pill. Women were able to speak out about their sexuality and be happy with the freedom they gained with the pill. 6] In the video one of the women, looks like a hippie because of her loose carefree hairstyle, and the beads that she wore. Compared to the other women who were very neat and elegant, this new type of female stands out as a hippie and therefore making hippies a positive enforcement of the introduction of the birth control pill. Flower power was another name for hippies and their sense of style which was carefree, down to earth and colourful. The carefree attitude was because hippies cared about issues that were not materialistic unlike the mainstream culture. The fashion was quite alike so the flow dresses would have been the same. [7] This attitude has inspired bloggers, stylists and fashion icons to this day bringing back the outfits that were worn by hippies. Flowy maxi dresses and loose hair was back in style which is a positive aspect for Canadian culture because of the rearranging of the rich history. [8] Women wore very earthy things. Such as loose fitted jeans, vests, beads and flowers. Colourful or psychedelic coloured and patterned clothing was in as the seventies came around. [10] Teenagers of today still wear clothing that is similar to those worn by hippies. 11] It is evident that Canadians are inspired by their past which teaches the future generations about the good impact caused by the hippies movement of the 60s. As hippies introduced drugs, more carefree sex and a homeless way of life, they also introduced peaceful resolution, second wave of feminism and new fashion ideas. The positive impact was greater because traces of the hippies still live on. As time goes on, the values that they stood behind are remembered as inspirational memories on peaceful resolutions. They were the counterculture the stood out and made individuals to express their love for peace for all humans without violence. It is important to see that young people want positive change back in the 60s and now. The hippie movement did not die out but merely merged into modern day society provocating peaceful life and caring for others around us.