Theory
Tell me if this is too far-fetched...
I must have read this somewhere but I can't find the original article anymore. I'll sum it up a bit. The Jungle Book was released in 1967, during the height of the Summer of Love. All the youngsters around the world start to revolt and don't want to be a part of dull/capitalistic society anymore.
Now, hold that mind and watch Jungle Book again: Mowgli doesn't want to go back to "the man-village" (= a strict society). This man-village is apparently not that good, according to Baloo. "They'll make a man out of him", he shouts. It's clear that Baloo doesn't want to follow any rules laid down in this society. All you need in life are "the bare necessities". Even The Vultures, modelled after '60s icons: The Beatles, can only find peace with eachother as the other part of the world doesn't like them. Can we see Mowgli as a "hippie" who's still struggling to choose between society and the rock 'n roll side of life?
Any views on that?