The Code Of The Streets By Elijah Anderson Analysis

“The Code of the Streets” written by Elijah Anderson draws a large focus to the differences of labels from a social theory and scientific point of view. It depicts the differences of what one would consider “street” or “decent” (Anderson, 82), “middle to upper class” vs “lower class”. The article considers the “street” class to be the younger generation; these would be the youth who oppose the views of those who live abiding by the law. The “street” often break the law, lack responsibility and have very little respect for authority and often distrust authority figures. Anderson writes about the “middle class” or the “decent” group coming from respectful families and good communities who often do not experience the high crime rates and …show more content…
Social Learning is a scientific theory created by Albert Bandura. The theory itself explains that learning is cognitive, gaining knowledge and understanding through experiences (Anderson, 80-92). Social learning more often takes place in a social setting, for instance when a group of friends hang out on the “streets” and pick up the trade of the “code” through direction and observation. Social learning is a great example of how the “code of the streets” is taught and continues to spread and distort the minds of the younger generations and their definition of respect, trust, and loyalty. Many young kids do the things their friends do even though they know it is not the right decision. Anderson talks about how kids and young adults who live in violent communities and poverty-stricken environments are often more likely to develop aggressive behavior. He goes on to talk about how families who live in lower income neighborhoods often do not have a father present, and their mother is a “sporadic mother,” a mother who leaves her children to learn to fend for themselves when it is necessary for them to eat or find a means to an end (Anderson, 83). The children of these “sporadic mothers” are more likely to work for drug dealers or become addicts themselves. The children growing up in the “streets” lack supervision entirely and learn to fight and defend themselves from an early age. The adults they are surrounded with often want very little to do with them and leave them with very little to look up to or learn from. The children and youth growing up in these families learn the “code” and abide by it and “judge themselves and others according to its values” (Anderson, 83). On the other hand, members of the middle and upper class who have trust in policemen and women, often experience very little violence, are active members of the community and their families’ lives. The children