Code of the Street by Elijah Anderson - Essay Example

The of the street is a theoretical framework developed by Elijah Anderson to describe life in the inner In the mid-1990's Anderson engagedin an ethnographic study of two Philadelphia neighborhoods. One was predominately poor and Black and the other was a multi-racial, middle-to-upper class community. Anderson's observations of the consistent violent behavior of young people living in the ghetto prompted him to undertake this research. The research was an attempt to describe the "public social organization" of ghetto life (Anderson, 1999: 9). According to Anderson, life on the street holds different meaning for those in its midst. As a result, mainstream institutions such as the law, are experienced and interpreted through a different lens. This essay will critically analyse and reflect upon Anderson's code for the purposes of determining both its validity and viability. The code of the street is defined as "a set of prescriptions and proscriptions, or informal rules of behavior organized around a desperate search for respect that governs public social relations, especially violence" (Anderson, 1999: 9). Within the code people operate under a "threat of vengeance" which acts as a shield to violent encounters (Anderson, 1999: 10). The code is "a set of informal rules governing interpersonal public behavior, particularly violence" in inner-city neighborhoods (Anderson, 1999: 33). It is residents' form of "law" or their "street justice" (Anderson, 1999: 10). The code thus is an alternative system to the middle-class norm. While it may be difficult for outsiders to evaluate the validity of the state due to lack of lived experience with street life, one can safely assert that Anderson's analysis rings true insofar as it appears to stem from the very nature of social systems' rules and regulations. Any social setting is governed by a set of rules which must be strictly followed should one wish to negotiate his/her way through the system in question and interact with members therein. The street, according to Anderson, is no different. Proceeding from the above stated, it is necessary to point out that in any social setting, self-esteem is important, as is its preservation. The street is no different. In inner-city communities, respect is key to one's self-concept and as such, the code prescribes "the proper way to respond if challenged" (Anderson, 1999: 33). On the street, one's reputation is highly valued and important to his self-identity. To maintain reputation, there is a constant "threat of violence" against those who may attempt to trample another's standing in the community (Anderson, 1999: 15). Anderson argues that the code regulates violence on the street as it offers approved justifications for those desiring to aggress against another. Whether or not you engage in violence, you are aware of the penalty if there is a rule violation (Anderson, 1999). The code thus is one's defense on the street. The code "provides a framework for negotiating respect" and is a "practical" mechanism for surviving on the street (Anderson, 1999: 134). Respect is a powerful commodity on the streets of inner-city America and is "a form of social capital " Anderson (1999: 66) Respect is premised on "being treated right" and given deference (Anderson, 1999: 33). Respect is external and must be demonstrated and seen. On the street, young Black males must constantly prove themselves often using physical violence. Once you have established yourself, respect acts like shield of protection. To maintain respect, one must have a hardened image and appear unbreakable. While life off the street emphasises respect and self-esteem, it does not prescribe violence as a means of attaining and later preserving it. In other words, societal culture and street culture have different perceptions of the meaning of respect and its determinants, despite their both outlining and highlighting its importance. Just as is the case with society in general, street society is not homogenous but comprised of different groups, cultures and sub-cultures. In the Code of the Street, Anderson argues that inner-city communities are divided by two sub-groups: decent families and street families. Decent families consist of hard-working residents that adhere to the middle-class value system. Segments of the community value education and try to save portions of their earnings every month. Children in decent families are taught according to mainstream ideals (i.e. work hard, do well in school, and get a good job). Furthermore, parenting is strict out of fear of the dangers lurking in the street. While many of these families consist of a single parent, many more have a man or husband in the home compared to their street family counterparts. This man is very protective of his family and outwardly displays this to others on the street. Law abiding residents must constantly be on the "defensive" due to dangerous and often violent situations created by the street culture. The informal rules of the street are well known to decent families and although they have the ability to "code switch" they are the polar opposite of the street family (Anderson, 1999: 35). The implication here is that street life and culture impose continued vigilance and defensiveness on its members, including the sub-group which has rejected street culture/life per se. This is only seemingly in stark contrast to life from without the streets. Were one to just pause for a minute and reflect upon the gist of the stated, one would realise that the cut-throat nature of the culture in question and the extent to which it places its members on the defensive echoes academic and professional life. While neither of the stated involve physical violence, the competition which prevails within either environment requires the exercise of subtle forms of aggression. In other words, street life is not remarkably different from non street culture. In the final analysis, Anderson may be introducing his readers to an alternative culture which is positioned adjacent to theirs but which they largely unaware of and regard as alien. While the differences between mainstream and street culture are quite clear, the similarities between the two are quite surprising. Accordingly, as one reads through this book one does not simply learn about the code of the street but the code of social systems in general. Read More