In the United States, the 1960's was a period of total transformation. In the 1960's, many social norms were disregarded and revolutions surfaced in response to almost every aspect of society. Along with significant social and political reforms, one of the most notable aspects of the 1960's was the emergence of counterculture. The counterculture of the 1960's rejected the standard values and beliefs of society and instead, created new ones. The counterculture movement was notably creative, unique, irresponsible, and flamboyant. Despite the social disorder that resulted from the 1960's and the counterculture movement, it is still regarded an extremely important decade that set the stage for the future of the United States. Charles Schmid, a man referred to as the "Pied Piper of Tuscon" shapes the text by Joyce Carol Oates, "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been" in that he serves as an inspiration for one of the main characters, Arnold Friend, who Connie mistakenly believes she can attract without any consequences.

One of the most notable characteristics of the 1960's was an overall attitude of recklessness and irresponsibility. In Oates's story, Connie is clearly a member of the counterculture movement and therefore goes about life with the idea that her actions result in little to no consequences. Connie is incredibly self centered and constantly "[gawks] at [herself]" in the mirror (Oates). Connie does not care about anyone or anything besides herself and she is constantly "scolded" by her mother for paying too much attention to herself and not being more like her sister June who is "praised all the time" for various good deeds (Oates). Connie goes as far as to wish her "mother was dead", which clearly portrays a total disregard for her family, as well as everything else in her life (Oates). The only thing Connie seems to show real interest in are boys. Frequently, Connie and her friends go to a "drive-in restaurant where older kids [hang] out", however, her parents believe they are going to the mall to go shopping or seeing a movie (Oates). Connie is constantly looking to break the rules and is very intrigued with anything that is forbidden or mysterious, a true rebel at heart. While at the diner, Connie "[cannot] help but let her eyes wander over the windshields and faces all around her", which signifies her fascination with attracting the attention of others and her vulnerability to such seduction (Oates). Connie is constantly "dreaming about the boys she [meets]," without considering the consequences of her careless behavior. Connie even says at one point that "it [feels] good to be able to ignore" boys she is not interested in, which is yet another example of her nonchalant and overconfident attitude towards life (Oates). One night at the diner, Connie encounters another boy who catches her attention, Arnold Friend. Friend's "shaggy black hair [and] convertible jalopy painted gold" portray a mysterious and rebellious persona, which automatically interests Connie. Even after turning away from Friend, Connie continues to "glance back and there he was, still watching her" (Oates). Friend goes on to wave a finger and laugh at Connie saying "Gonna get you, baby" (Oates). After leaving the diner, Connie is "sleepy and pleased", despite the creepy comment from Friend, which again signifies her obsession with attracting the attention of others and disregard for the potential consequences of her undisciplined actions (Oates). 

 Unfortunately, Connie's actions do eventually result in consequences, including a life or death experience. Despite seeming simply like an admirer, Arnold Friend turns out to be an obsessive, irrational murderer. The following Sunday, Friend arrives at Connie's house, without notice, and tries to convince Connie to go for a ride with him. Friend, like Schmid, had "power over women" and the eerie ability of knowing all sorts of information about Connie like what her name is and where her parents are (Bovsun). As the situation escalates, Connie is frightened by Friend but also slightly intrigued, as demonstrated by her saying "he's kind of great" in response to Friend's affection for "Bobby King" (Oates). Rather that immediately locking the doors and calling the cops or grabbing a knife, Connie continues to stand in the same spot and make small talk with Friend, which demonstrates her love of attention and her careless, overconfident attitude towards life. By egging Friend on in a sense, Connie is a direct cause of her own death. Friend ultimately forces Connie to come outside by threatening her friends and family. Although the ending of the story is somewhat unclear, based on the historical context of Schmid's murders in Tuscon, Arizona, it can be assumed that Connie is raped and murdered (Quirk). Although Friend is understandably a serial killer as Schmid was, Connie drew unwanted attention to herself as a result of her reckless behavior (Bovsun). Had Connie paid more attention to her family and obeyed the norms of society, she may have been able to avoid this situation. For example, if Connie had gone to the barbeque with her family rather than staying home alone, that day may have turned out very differently. Towards the end of the story, when Connie realizes she is going to die, she says she will never "see [her] mother again or sleep in [her] bed again", almost with a sense of regret. Finally, Connie realizes that as a result of abandoning everyone and everything for so long, "the place where [she] came from ain't there anymore" (Oates). 

Overall, Oates's story serves to teach a lesson and convey that one cannot think about where you are going in life, if you have not already appreciated where you have been. During the 1960's, too many people were abandoning important values for clothes, music, drugs, etc. Oates aims to convey the message that by living a reckless and flamboyant life and pretending to be older and more mature, one is ultimately alienating themselves from society and welcoming negative consequences. It is important to focus on your true identity, rather than daydreaming more elaborate fantasies. In Connie's case, had she focused more on her family and education rather than boys, music, and her looks, her death could have likely been avoided. 

