Hey everyone. I just recently join this site, and I thought what better group of people to ask this question! Here's my situation: I come from a very capitolist and conservative household. My parents are very good about making the counterculture a taboo issue. My mom asked me yesterday about all of my recent tie-dye, macrame, and meditation. I told her what she didn't want to hear: I want to be a hippy. Then we got into an arguement about how hippies don't give back to the community and they're a bunch of drugged up drop-outs. She refuses to acknowledge that I hold a steady job, and I smoke weed. She sees it as a paradox. What I need to know is, is there a way to get their approval in someway that won't involve me moving out to prove a hippy can make it in the world?
Alot of people have a preconcived notion of what a "hippie" is. My best advise to you is simply be yourself and don't catogorize it to your parents. You don't have to say mom, dad I'm a hippie. Just say the things I do such as meditation and wear tie-die because thats what I like and a part of who I am. You can accept it or shun me its your choice. The hardest thing with parents is they don't always except who their child actually is. Just stay true to yourself and your hippie nature and you will be allright.
I come from a very capitolist and conservative household. My parents are very good about making the counterculture a taboo issue.- Culture doesn't define anything. My mom asked me yesterday about all of my recent tie-dye, macrame, and meditation. I told her what she didn't want to hear: I want to be a hippy.- You don't have to do certain things to be a hippy, just be one. You either are a hippy or your not. Its not the same as the stupid prep bullshit thing. Then we got into an arguement about how hippies don't give back to the community and they're a bunch of drugged up drop-outs.- Well remind her that this isn't a dammed classical republican society. She refuses to acknowledge that I hold a steady job, and I smoke weed.- Thats her problem. She sees it as a paradox. What I need to know is, is there a way to get their approval in someway that won't involve me moving out to prove a hippy can make it in the world?- I doubt it, they are probably too thick headed to change, but its possible, I don't know your parents so I can't tell.
Well, Im a hippy momma and I have a awsome marriage and am raising 3 kids with peace and love. We are self sufficient and give back to our community in many ways. P.S. I love tie dye too
i came from the same situation & it took many years before my parents accepted me & my life choices, i think it was just last year thst i had my 1st conversation with my mom & she didnt mention cutting my hair..heehee but you can show her some ogf the ways hippies do contribute to society, like caring for the environment & nature, social changes, there would be no recycling or alternative energy initiativves without hippies, you can also point out that hippies arent always droppouts, some are ceo's of fortune 500 companies like cygnus & the inventor orf virtual reality wasa hippy, as for the weed, norml & marijuanaprocon.com (or orh) have lots of usefull info that u can use to convince them that the governments hype isall bs.. also many hippies give back to the comminity in smaller ways, like helping the homeless or community gardens or hundreds of other ways, like organizing recycling or starting organic farms, gen eraly though you shouldnt have to deffend hippies to her, only yourself, & if you act respectfuly , meanning not stealling or hurting anyone it might take them awhile to accept your personal style, but your actions will spealk for themselves
Given your not 18 yet, and still live with your parents...you'll probably have to be somewhat flexible. I agree with everything that has been said here. Don't categorize yourself, label yourself, etc...that's not what it's all about. Don't fight with them about it, it's probably not going to change their mind. Just be yourself. Wear ti-dy...I'm wearing some right now. Just hang in there, you'll be 18 soon enough and then you really can do as you please! Until then...just be patient, it'll all be OK. Maybe, eventually, they'll come around and see your lifestyle and accept it...maybe not. Hard to say and it really doesn't matter. Hang in there, brother...it'll all work out.
have you ever thought about telling your parents the clothe isn't what makes you the person that you are. Ask them if when you dress that way that you are any less of the person you are if you would wear a tie and suit. Give them something to think about. If you are a good person is should make no difference what you wear.
