The West was swept by a cultural revolution in the 1960s, profoundly altering society and its norms. This upheaval was largely driven by a youthful movement self-identifying as “hippies.” With their radical notions on love, sex, family, and nature, the hippies reshaped the concept of community life, challenging established norms and creating new social frameworks.
The physical appearance of hippies was a visual assertion of their ideology of freedom and rejection of conformism. Long hair, brightly colored and often handmade clothing, artisanal jewelry, sandals, or bare feet—every aspect of their appearance was a defiance of mainstream fashion and a statement of their uniqueness. The hippie community promoted a “do-it-yourself” ethic reflected in their attire, their dwellings, and their food.
The sexual revolution was another cornerstone of the hippie movement. Free love, the dismantling of sexual taboos, and the acceptance of sexuality as a natural part of human existence were fundamental principles of the hippie philosophy. This radical stance towards sex starkly contrasted with the preceding Victorian era, marked by rigid taboos and restrictions.
Hippie communities practiced a form of “open” family, where bonds were based on love and friendship rather than biological or legal relations. These “families” could include individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Childcare was often shared among community members, creating a supportive and cooperative environment.
Life in a hippie community was typically marked by a return to nature and a simple, self-sufficient lifestyle. The desire to live in harmony with the environment was so strong that many hippies chose to live in rural communes, growing their food and building their homes. This lifestyle was a rejection of industrialization and consumer society.
Nudism played a central role in hippie communities. For many, it was a liberating practice, a way to reject social constraints and affirm the freedom of the body. Nudism was not just an adult practice; it was a way of life adopted by entire families, including children, a natural aspect of their everyday existence.
It was taught as an intrinsic value of the hippie philosophy, a way to live in harmony with nature and accept one’s body without shame or fear. Hippie parents saw nudism as a way to educate their children on freedom, self-acceptance, and respect for diversity. They believed that this habit could help form more open-minded, tolerant individuals aware of their bodies and others’.
The practice of nudism was also seen as an act of resistance against a society that sought to control and regulate bodies. Hippies viewed nudism as a way to reclaim sovereignty over their bodies and affirm each individual’s right to live as they saw fit.
Although this practice caused scandal and controversy at the time, it also helped challenge existing taboos and promote a more open and accepting view of the human body. And, in a sense, it managed to shift the boundaries of what society considered acceptable, helping to shape the social norms we know today.
The hippie culture of the 1960s had a profound impact on society, challenging existing norms and proposing new ways of living. While the hippie movement as such has faded, its spirit still lives on today in many of its ideas and practices, which continue to influence our society in deep and lasting ways.
