A study was undertaken with 2 purposes: (1) to see if tendencies toward political & cultural radicalism (hippie lifestyle) could be identified as 2 separate dimensions of radicalism among adolescents, & (2) to study family characteristics which might explain a tendency toward radicalism. 19 items measured radicalism (eg, participation in protest demonstrations, membership in political action groups, use of drugs, & rejection of career). The family characteristics included: (A) 3 scales--authoritarianism of parents, level of intellectual communication between parents & youth, & extent to which youth identifies with family, (B) religious identification, (C) parental political preference, & (D) family SES. 192 Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn adolescents aged 13-21, of a random telephone directory sample of 266, were interviewed in their homes. Cultural & political radicalism were not 2 separate dimensions but formed a strong, single factor in principal factors analysis. The radicalism dimension which emerged & which formed the basis of an 11-item scale, consisted mainly of attitudes & behaviors associated with leftist political radicalism & a personal life style emphasizing psychedelic drugs, sensuality, & oriental religion. Items reflecting orientation toward work, traditionalism, & use of political violence did not load on the radicalism factor but formed 3 weaker, secondary factors. Low identification with the family, religious preference (Jewish & "other" mainly no identification), & greater chronological age were all associated with radicalism. R & regression analysis indicated that Jewish & other religious identification was associated with lower identification with the family & thereby influenced adoption of radicalism among youth. The findings support the contention that youth tend toward radicalism not because they have been socialized into radical thought through a close, nurturing relationship with parents; rather, it appears that adolescents with radical tendencies do not highly identify with the family & are thus open to accepting values from sources outside the family. 4 Tables, 1 Figure. Modified HA.