book Code of The Street describes in detail
the many issues that are prevalent within
the inner city today. These issues included
morality, teen pregnancy, the campaign
for respect and the absence of economic
Anderson used the research he obtained
from an ethnography conducted in Philadelphia
during the 1990’s to compose the
book. The ethnography entailed studying
African Americans in certain sections
of the city, and reflecting on information
obtained from informants and his observation.
Anderson described families in the inner
city as either decent families with middle
class mainstream values, or street oriented
families that do not identify with the
broader society. Regardless of a families
values people interact continuously on
the street. This is done at schools, in
playgrounds, or in the open public.
Depending on what a families values were
that dictated how young people carried
themselves as they moved about the streets.
For individuals being raised in decent
homes it was essential for them to become
street-smart and recognize that the street’s
code was in effect. The children of street
oriented families were described as those
engaged in the drug trade and the perpetrators
of all that is negative in the neighborhood.
Some of these negative actions included
drug dealing, stick-ups, and murder.
While seeking respect in the streets people
presented themselves in a manner that
suggests they were not to be tested. People
did various things to acquire respect,
which included fighting, jumping people,
and in extreme situations shooting others.
For if one did not have respect they would
be tried or tested by both members of
their peer group and strangers who viewed
them as vulnerable.
Without respect or a reputation that demanded
it, one’s street credibility was
questionable. Actions that were respectable
included everything opposite of mainstream
society, which normally includes an appreciation
of religion, hard work ethic, and academics.
Concerning teen pregnancy Anderson noted
that teens begin having sex at young ages,
and they are not aware of the long-term
complications that they subject themselves
to. When adolescents engage in such activities
they sometimes do become pregnant whether
expectedly or unexpectedly. Teenage males
were referred to as not wanting a stable
relationship, but they viewed having children
as a sign of manhood. Most often women
were left with the overwhelming task of
raising children themselves, or with the
help of their family.
Anderson explained that the “decent
daddy” was scarce in the inner city.
He gave examples of how males denied the
legitimacy of their children. For instance
if one was skeptical about a female’s
faithfulness, or character then they would
deny the child. Sometimes this would also
be the scenario if the male knew that
he was indeed the father.
There are many reasons why the issues
mentioned are prevalent in the inner city.
The author argues that some of the reasons
include the lack of role models, and an
insufficient economy. Decades ago there
were many economic opportunities available
in the inner city until companies relocated
overseas and computers began to make a
Overall Anderson produced a very unique
book, it was quite similar to The Philadelphia
Negro that was written by W.E.B. DuBois
in 1899 while he was teaching at the University
of Pennsylvania. DuBois’ ethnography
was more extensive than Anderson’s,
for he focused on all aspects of life
in the African American community, and
during that period these issues were not
as prevalent as they are today.
The Code of The Street gets 4 out of 5
globes. This accounts for Anderson’s
effort and passion in the field of sociology.
He could have been surveying the amount
of people that ride public transportation,
after all that’s sociology! Nonetheless
he chose to focus on an issue that needs
For future reference drive from Chestnut
Hill to North Philly via Germantown Ave.
notice of the socio-economic differences