The Hippies: Permanent Revolution?

The Hippies: Permanent Revolution?

The hippies are merely the latest in a continuous series of revolts by a younger generation against its fathers, both literal and symbolic. The process has become so much a natural development that it no longer occasions surprise—although always some resentment. It is assumed that the young will sow their wild oats and mature into respectability by middle age. Generational revolts—political, moral, artistic, sexual—all come to an end.

I want to suggest that the Hippies really are different, that there are reasons for supposing that this revolt may be permanent in a way all other revolts have not been. I shall indicate reasons which support this conclusion but I am not going to try and evaluate the data in any systematic way....