Has Gen Z become the new hippies? That’s an interesting question. While each generation opposes the one before it, Gen Z seems to be reviving ideas similar to the peace, love, and social consciousness movement of the 1960s. Even though history never repeats itself exactly, it often does rhyme, and there are obvious similarities between the two generations.
Gen Z is often regarded as the modern equivalent of the ’60s hippies, taking a countercultural stance through climate activism, thrifting, a focus on holistic wellness, and a lack of trust in large institutions. In contrast, Generation X, raised by former hippies, has developed a more cynical, self-sufficient, and practical outlook on life, so it now seems the pendulum has swung back.
The modern movement is in many respects like the hippie movement of the 20th century. In the 1960s, the Boomers challenged the status quo because they saw it as rebellious and exciting. Today, Gen Z questions that same state of affairs because, in their opinion, it is entirely sensible. Unlike the Boomers, they have inherited rising housing costs, student debt, economic uncertainty, and an ever-increasing worry about climate change. These circumstances influence their decisions as much as their ideologies do, and they are getting used to a world very different from the one the generations before them came into.
The 1960s signaled the start of a time of social change as young Americans questioned traditional values and demanded reform. Today, America is once again divided along political and cultural lines. Generation Z has now become a significant force in campaigns about climate change, mental health, diversity, and social justice. Just as the hippies were motivated by resentment toward existing systems and a desire to create something better, so are today’s young people.
The similarities are difficult to overlook. Like the generation before them, this one has questioned authority, embraced alternative modes of living, and believed that individuals can influence society; the fact that members of Generation Z are committed to sustainability, show an interest in plant-based living and holistic wellness, back secondhand fashion, and reject excessive consumerism demonstrates values which would have seemed familiar in the late 1960s.
We have now got back to the starting point. Since for many years we have focused on material possessions and personal success as the means of assessing achievement, younger generations appear to be rediscovering the importance of community, purpose, and a feeling of shared responsibility. It is not yet clear whether Gen Z will be seen as the new hippie generation, but they are certainly contributing a new chapter to the story of cultural change.
Pat Landaker is a Certified Senior Advisor® and a freelance writer specializing in senior-focused, positive aging topics.