An alternative lifestyle is a lifestyle (a mode or style of conducting one's life) which carries the implication that it is not within the generally perceived cultural norm. Usually, but not always, it implies an affinity or identification within some matching subculture (examples include Hippies, Goth and punk). Traditionally not all minority lifestyles are held to be "alternative"; the term tends to imply newer forms of lifestyle, often based upon enlarged freedoms (especially in the sphere of social styles) or a decision to substitute another approach or not enter the usual expected path in most societies. The word norm coming from the latin word norma which means angle measure or (lawlike) rule, has a number of meanings: A social or sociological norm; see norm (sociology). ... As understood in sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a set of people with a distinct set of behavior and beliefs that differentiate them from a larger culture of which they are a part. ... Hippies (singular hippie or sometimes hippy) were members of the 1960s counterculture movement who adopted a communal or nomadic lifestyle, renounced corporate nationalism and the Vietnam War, embraced aspects of Buddhism, Hinduism, and/or Native American religious culture, and were otherwise at odds with traditional middle class Western values. ... NYC goth band The Naked and the Dead (1985). ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

The following may be examples which are considered by some to be examples of alternate lifestyles:

• Unusual lifestyle or community, such as communes, communal living, Ecovillage and Permaculture.
• Avoidance of traditional path, such as people who might be said to become lifestyle travellers, Hippies, New age travellers, artists or poets in preference to the norm.
• Vegetarianism or veganism
• Alternative medicine
• Alternative spirituality practices.
• Unusual sexual lifestyle, such as BDSM, swinging or polyamory.
• Unusual cultural focus, such as furry fandom

Alternative lifestyles are sometimes thought be an expression of social rebellion. Some psychologists today, however, believe that alternative lifestyles are not rebellious in nature but only serve to help the individual find balance, or social or personal identity, in what they characterize as a confusing and often brutal world, especially one that seems harmful or wrong and which they lack power individually to change. This is considered by some to be nothing more than an excuse for deviant behavior. A Commune is a kind of intentional community where most resources are shared and there is little or no personal property. ... An intentional community is a planned residential community with a much higher degree of social interaction than other communities. ... Ecovillages are intended to be socially, economically and ecologically sustainable intentional communities. ... Permaculture Mandala summarising the ethics and principles of permaculture design. ... Lifestyle travelling is a type of alternative lifestyle practiced by people who wish to travel their entire lives, usually from country to country, in preference to settling down with a family or other traditional life goals. ... Singer at contemporary Russian Rainbow gathering Hippie, occasionally spelled hippy, refers to a subgroup of the 1960s counterculture that began in the United States, becoming an established social group by 1965 before declining in the 1970s. ... New age travellers or Peace Convoy are a peculiarly British social phenomenon consisting of people who often espouse New age and Neopagan beliefs, and who travel between music festivals and fairs in order to live in a community with others who hold similar beliefs. ... Vegetarianism is the practice of not consuming meat, with or without the use of other animal derivatives, such as dairy products or eggs. ... The logo of the worlds first Vegan Society, registered in 1944 Veganism (also known as strict vegetarianism or pure vegetarianism) is a philosophy and lifestyle that avoids using animals and animal products for food, clothing and other purposes. ... It has been suggested that Complementary and Alternative Medicine be merged into this article or section. ... Spirituality, in a narrow sense, concerns itself with matters of the spirit. ... A collar is a common symbol in BDSM. BDSM is a term which describes a number of related patterns of human sexual behavior. ... Swinging, sometimes referred to in North America as the swinging lifestyle, is non-monogamous sexual activity, treated much like any other social activity, that can be experienced as a couple. ... Start of polyamory contingent at San Francisco Pride 2004. ... Shanda the Panda #12, an example of a furry comic Furry fandom is an artistic and literary genre that celebrates the hybridization of humans and (other) animals traits and characteristics, specifically in cartoons and comics. ... Look up rebellion in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A psychologist is a researcher and/or a practitioner of psychology. ... Social identity is a theory formed by Henri Tajfel and John Turner to understand the psychological basis of intergroup discrimination. ... In philosophy, the issue of personal identity concerns the conditions under which a person at one time is the same person at another time. ...

The term alternative lifestyle is occasionally used to describe homosexuality, but this usage is generally considered to be offensive or pejorative, particularly within the gay community itself [1][2]. As evidence has mounted in recent decades to support the biological basis of homosexuality, this particular usage has fallen from favor because the word "lifestyle" conveys a matter of personal choice, while the word "alternative" suggests a less-desirable, abnormal outcome. Homosexuality refers to sexual and romantic attraction between two individuals of the same sex. ... A word or phrase is pejorative if it implies contempt or disapproval. ... The idea of a gay community is complex and can be very controversial. ... Biology and sexual orientation is the concept in industrialized societies that there is, at least in part, a biological basis for sexual orientation. ... The debate over choice and sexual orientation addresses the issue of the degree to which sexual orientation is genetically determined (i. ...

See also

• Alternative culture
• Counterculture
• Hippies
• List of vegetarian communities
• Movement for Compassionate Living
• Simple living
• Sustainable community
• Sustainable living
• Aaron Bellamy
• Veganism
• Vegan organic gardening

Alternative culture is a catch-all phrase used predominately by the media and the marketing industry to refer to a variety of separate sub-cultures – (which are either loosely related or near-totally unrelated) – and are perceived by the general public as being outside or on the edge of so... In sociology, counterculture is a term used to describe a cultural group whose values and norms run counter to those of the social mainstream of the day, the cultural equivalent of political opposition or swimming against the tide. ... Hippies (singular hippie or sometimes hippy) were members of the 1960s counterculture movement who adopted a communal or nomadic lifestyle, renounced corporate nationalism and the Vietnam War, embraced aspects of Buddhism, Hinduism, and/or Native American religious culture, and were otherwise at odds with traditional middle class Western values. ... Movement for Compassionate Living are a UK based membership organisation promoting veganism and sustainable living. ... Simple living (similar but not identical to voluntary simplicity or voluntary poverty) is a lifestyle individuals may pursue for a variety of motivations, such as spirituality, health, or ecology. ... Sustainable communities are communities planned, built, or modified to promote sustainable living. ... Sustainable living might best be defined as a lifestyle that could, hypothetically, be sustained unmodified for many generations without exhausting any natural resources. ... The logo of the worlds first Vegan Society, registered in 1944 Veganism (also known as strict vegetarianism or pure vegetarianism) is a philosophy and lifestyle that avoids using animals and animal products for food, clothing and other purposes. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

External links

• Alternative Living
• Vegetarian Society
• The Vegetarian Resource Group
• Vegetarian Society (Singapore)
• VegSource