During the 1960's America saw a cultural revolution like never before. Ideas such as, personal freedom, sexual liberty and drug use all came about during this time. Although now people may think of these things as quintessential ideas of sixties culture, these practices were actually countercultural during the time. Considered hippie culture, the majority of society did not participate or practice these activities, but everyone was affected. Despite the fact that these ideas were not part of the mainstream culture, many aspects of society, like literary works and music, were either part of or affected by the counterculture. The themes of independence, maturity and the importance of family in Oates' "Where are you going, Where have you been", are directly related to aspects of 1960's counterculture such as sexual liberty, increased drug use and personal freedom. 

In "Where are you going, Where have you been", one of the main aspects of the story is Connie's' seemingly strong desire to be independent. She doesn't tell her parents where she goes, let alone what she does, and despite only being fifteen, appears to want to be grown up. Connie is very annoyed by her mother's relentless nagging about how she should be more like her grown up sister, and complains to her friends how "She makes me want to throw up sometimes" (Oates 1). Connie seemingly wishes to leave her family and jump into adulthood. When she is approached by Arnold Friend in her home she realizes that being wanting to be an adult and entirely different thing. Connie wants to be an adult without the consequences of adulthood. The theme of being independent without consequences and responsibilities was prominent during the sixties. Young people from all around the country flocked to California in order to experience drugs and freedom (Wesson 155). Many migrants in their teens came to San Francisco in order to escape their previous lives in hope for a more care-free journey (Wesson 155). Like previous generations that came of age in the forties and fifties, sixties adolescent's had a war to fight, but unlike previous generations, the youth of the 1960's openly and proudly opposed the conflict. While many went and fought, many stayed home and protested. This was one of the first times in American history when the countries youth became defiant during a time of great strife. 

Matthew Bannister explores the 1960's counterculture by examining the music during the time period, specifically the Velvet Underground. Throughout the 1960's, radical changes were taking place in society. Ideas of truth, freedom, peace, love and self-expression were taking the place of straight society, repressive social orders, and personal neurosis (Bannister 163). Sexuality was another main focus of the '60s counterculture. Once a very private matter, rock and roll music became a way in which sex could be spoken of and celebrated (Bannister 167). Another facet of counterculture was drug use. Many people believed in order to achieve a utopian society, the use of psychedelic drugs needed to be present and consistent (Bannister 167). The last aspect of counterculture in the '60s was civil rights. It was a time in American culture when African-Americans were looked down upon and did not receive the same opportunities as their white counterparts. One of the few places in which African-Americans excelled was music. Many bands, such as the Velvet Underground, were heavily influenced by black music and culture (Bannister 173). I believe that this source would be very helpful in writing essay 3. "Where are you going, Where have you been" is the story I did SWA 3 on, and it is obviously affected by the counterculture of the 1960's. Not only is it dedicated to Bob Dylan, an important figurehead in the time period, but the story itself is very radical and reflects what was going on in the US when the story was written. 

