Political apathy now vs. political activism in 60's/70's?

Question

I need some facts/general overview of how the 60's/70's were different from now (I was born in the late 80's and am pretty clueless).

I know back then college students were really active with protesting the Vietnam War and there were a lot of hippies and everyone was really involved with politics (?) not really sure. Anyway that's basically the extent of my knowledge.

But now college students really don't care about politics and people don't think about running for political offices (in my experience). I'm in college and I can see our generation's apathy.

Basically I need to write an article about something that has to do with this and I need an intro where I'm like oh my god, this country is in trouble because everyone is so apathetic about government, in contrast to what it was a few decades ago.

Please, give me as much info as you can thanks!

Answer 1

I grew up in the sixties.  I can only give you a viewpoint from my own experiences.  I would say that awareness and political interest was born with the beatniks that came before us.  Add to that one president assassinated in a very questionable manner, one aspiring presidential candidate again assassinated in a very questionable manner, one hero of the civil rights movement assassinated, a politically motivated and unconstitutional war, police state tactics perpetrated upon demonstrators, musicians writing songs of questions and protest...etc. etc.  And you have a very good climate for civic unrest.  Move to...Nixon withdrawing troops, a milk toast president after him...disco music, another milk toast president...80's & 90's music, sadly lacking in anything worth listening to...the Reagan years, short haircuts, sharp dressing, and new values of making money...next generation comes up spoiled rotten given everything mom and dad can afford to give them, video games, no outside play..lack of imagination, tv addiction.....and the government gets what it wants.  A generation of unthinking drones who only care about how to make a buck and watching the next episode of     Grey's Anatomy.  Result: the 9/11 scam and a hundred year war in the middle east!  Happy Days!

Answer 2

One reason young people were so involved was because of the draft - fear of going to Vietnam.

This is not the case today, unless it is re-instituted.

Answer 3

I grew up during those years and I'd have to say all the hippies and protesters accomplished nothing and were an embarrassment to their generation.

There are far better ways to be politically active than the mob mentality

Answer 4

Anarchist Movement revived in The 1980's . Vancouver 7 Anarchists or Toronto ones worth a look. 1970's had Anarchists as well. Issues like Cities, Cars how they destroy the planet. Deaths of species on Earth. Cities not for people anymore but for machines. If not being sarcastic  info there.

Start from end of WW2 and discuss how Autos took over.

Answer 5

You need another /JOHN LENNON.

I WAS THERE.

USA Murdered a CONSCIENCE OF THE PEOPLE.

Answer 6

Today's students are not directly confronted with the possibility of a draft. Selective service has never been activated. Since today's youth are not required to risk their lives for their country they are less motivated to protest the war than the hippy generation. They also like soap and money too much to make good hippies. The generation caught between these two generation, Generation X, wishes both generations adjacent to them would sit down and shut up.

Answer 7

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Air...