Code of the Street

Where civil law fails, the code of the street prevails, particularly in contexts where urban poverty pushes people to desperation. The code of the street replaces civility with its own set of prescribed regulations and guidelines, many of which are based on respect and do not preclude the possibility of violence.

Anderson presents a dichotomy between the two types of families that operate within the code of the street. According to Anderson, “decent families” are generally more willing to accept the values of mainstream culture and orient their lives around aspirational goals of living a better life. This requires a willingness to play by the rules of civil law and cultural respectability. 

Germantown Avenue is one of the oldest streets in the country, located in Philadelphia. In the introduction to the book, Anderson describes Germantown Avenue as a symbolic representation of how life in America’s urban centers operates, as classes, races, and cultures converge.

This term is a colloquial replacement for “respect.” The more “juice” a person has within the code of the street, the more they accumulate power and autonomy, even credibility. “Juice” therefore accentuates and bolsters social capital.

This term refers to older, usually male mentor figures who pass on advice and counsel to the younger generation. According to Anderson, “a caring old head can make a real difference” (136) in the life of a young person trying to find their way while navigating the code of the street.

Status symbols operate as representational objects that often elevate a person’s social standing within the context of their particular group. According to Anderson, inner-city status symbols come in various forms, such as sneakers or leather jackets among youths or even decorative iron bars for households seeking protection against theft or break-ins.

Anderson contrasts “decent families” to “street families” in his dichotomy of the two types of families that must abide—willingly or not—by the code of the street. “Street families” are often unconcerned with or indifferent toward the norms of mainstream civility, either due to an inability to adapt to these norms or to a lack of investment in the practical value that this adherence may generate.

Anderson names teen pregnancy as one of the top pervasive issues that contribute to negative stereotypes and economic outcomes among the urban poor. Along with violence and drug use, teen pregnancy is seen as a key contributor in trapping families into generational cycles of poverty.