55. During the 1960s, a group of youths rejected mainstream culture as overly competitive, self-centered, and materialistic. Instead, hippies and other groups favored a cooperative lifestyle in which, 'being' was more important than 'doing,' and the capacity for personal growth or 'expanded consciousness' was prized over material possessions like homes and cars. Such differences led some people to 'drop out' of the larger society. What would this group of youths be considered?
Answer: A
Counterculture
This group of youths would be considered a counterculture, as they actively rejected the dominant values and norms of mainstream society during the 1960s in favor of a more cooperative and spiritually focused lifestyle.
A) Counterculture
Option A is correct because the term "counterculture" specifically refers to groups that oppose and reject the prevailing cultural norms. The youths described in the question embodied this by promoting values that prioritized personal growth and communal living over materialism and competition.
B) Cultural traditional
Option B is incorrect because cultural traditional refers to groups that adhere to established customs and practices rather than rejecting them. The youths in question were not upholding traditional values but rather seeking to break away from them, which is the opposite of being cultural traditionalists.
C) Revolutionary
Option C is incorrect as well, despite some overlaps with revolutionary movements. While the youths sought significant social change, they did so through nonviolent means and lifestyle choices rather than through active political revolution. Their focus was more on personal and cultural transformation than on political upheaval.
D) Popular culture
Option D is incorrect because popular culture represents mainstream cultural norms and trends that are widely accepted and consumed by the majority. The group of youths described rejected these norms, making them distinct from what is considered part of popular culture.
Conclusion
The designation of these youths as a counterculture is fitting because they fundamentally opposed and sought alternatives to the dominant societal values of their time. The other options fail to accurately capture the essence of their movement, which revolved around creating a new lifestyle that emphasized spiritual and personal fulfillment over societal expectations.