Sociology Essays Code Street Life

Sociology Essays cipher path Life regulation Street LifeInterpreting The Code of the StreetGangster animateness is often visualised as exiting and glamorous, trance the news often stereotypes the urban slums as existence corrupt by violent criminals. Elijah Anderson thoroughly explains in his book Code of the Street that life in miserable nonage communities argon not al behaviors portrayed correctly in the media. The precedent offers a unique elbow room of researching for this motif by living in the argona he stu fouls he is commensurate to share information only known by experience.He intends to founder and clarify the life of the inner city roadways. The first chapter, Decent and Street Families, explains some(prenominal) issues numerous families face when raiding a fair to middling child. The lifestyles of of these minority communities are, in reality, really complex and intricate.The book explains how the Code, or lifestyle, varies for many groups within the cul ture. The difference between bridle-path and decent families and the way they act with each other, the difference of communities, and the significance of applaud are all briny ideas explained within the first two chapters.The violent surroundings and unfair tidy sum are the origin of each individuals lifestyle. The reference uses the precondition structural circumstances to define the position one becomes involved in as a results of their place in society. maven example the author used in his novel is the life of a decent single mother, where the term decent is used to describe the individuals that do not depart in to societys negative influences.Though one green theme among decent families that is currently on the rise is grandmothers raising grandchildren especially the increasing number of grandmothers raising grandchildren, often see their see their operose situation as a test from God and derive bang-up plump for from their faith and church community (Anderson 38). Single mothers and grandparents overhear a much more difficult time swaying their children from the negative influences of the alley. 1 common trait of the decent child is the ability to code sell. A decent child is often mocked and teased by peers as tumefy as family members as explained in Yvettes Story, which is the reason for code-switching. One of the first stories titled The Decent Single Mother Explains the many hardships of having to set up a child in a dent carriage with step to the fore the support of a fatherly figure. The ability to code-switch permits a child to use gross and vulgar language and act in a different manner while in the streets, thus giving a child a way to survive certain situations. The author insists that this trait is taught by the parents, conception I believe it is learned thorough experience.In the street humanity is defied as how well one can defend him or herself in a fight. And at the analogous time, being able to fight and not let anyon e else talk oneself down raises respect among the peers. The author claims Respect becomes decisive for stating out of harms way (Anderson 66). There is a problem that might grind away after a fight though, visit. Revenge can become very dangerous depending on the person who was offended by being beaten.Examples metamorphose form returning with a group of friends or even family members to encumber others (An example taken from Marges story) to returning with a arm where the outcome can result in serious injury or even death. This Campaign for Respect arises when the people shade as if they are abandoned and will not receive help from authorities, feeling as if they are on their own. The author writes Many of those residing in such communities feel that they are on their own, that especially in matters of personal defense, they must assume the immemorial responsibility (Anderson 66).The film that portrays the best idea as to how the streets of the Bronx might confine been lik e is the film Boys N the crown. There are several scenes in the film that relate to the book. For example, in the beginning of the film the main character, a troublemaker, is sent to live with his father to learn how to be a man. There is a whole chapter dedicated to the campaign for respect a section of which is titled Manhood and Nerve. Here the author claims For many inner-city youths, manhood and respect are two sides of the same strike both require a sense of control, of being in appoint (Anderson 91).Loosing control over a situation can result in disastrous effects. The author does not give any specific examples thus far since the film closely relates to the topic of the book, bringing an example from the film is appropriate. A scene from the film involves Doughboy, one of the main characters in the movie, and his attempt to determine his brothers stolen football from a group of much larger and stronger boys. He stands up to the group of boys who are pushing him around .He observes in the face of one boy in particular and kicks him in the leg. The large boy retaliates by slapping Doughboy down and kicking him in the stomach. Doughboy criticizes his brother for being stupid and bringing the ball in the first place. Doughboy is has been humiliated in front of his brother and at that time is overly feeling discompose and places the blame toward his brother.Doughboys attempt to retrieve his brothers football and the resulting assault has everything to do with juice and the cultural adaptations Doughboy has had to make as the street nipper in his decent family. As a street kid he needs to be aggressive and assert himself physically. Therefore, when his brothers ball is stolen he reacts violently as this is the language of street life. The senior boy, not to be shown up by a small, lesser boy, beatniks Doughboy up, most likely in order to maintain his reputation as a tough street kid.Also, just like a street kid, drugs and alcohol become a major p art of his life by and by on as he is always seen drinking a forty. As objects play an important and complicated role in establishing self-image (Anderson, 73) his car also becomes a source of juice as it has expensive features and is very well maintained.The main goal for the decent family is to give the younger generation, usually their offspring, a chance to develop and grow out of the raging strength of the streets. instilling good morals in a childs earliest years is often emphasized In decent families at that place is closely always a real concern with and a certain count of hope for the future.Such attitudes are often in a thrust to produce to build a good life, while at the same time trying to make due with what you have (Anderson 37). Instilling these morals into the children is important if that child is to make the right decisions while in the street. flush though this task is daunting on its own, it becomes especially daunting when there is a single parent.A h ousehold maintained under the surveillance of a father figure creates a more stable milieu for the child. Sure both parents may work double shifts and may work late night after night, but this only serves as other reason for the children to perform well. A passage from the book shares this idea The children nodded attentively. later the adults left, the children seemed to relax, talking more freely and playing with one another.When the parents returned, the kids straightened up over again displaying quiet and gracious manners all the while (Anderson 39). In this antique family the head of the household, usually the father, the children remain obedient out of fear of disappointing their parents. The decent children in this passage have a slightly higher(prenominal) chance at success than their fellow peers solely because neither they nor their parents have given in to the street life.Respect, or Juice, is highly cherished in the streets. It is something everyone should earn in order to live without being constantly picked on or harassed. Juice can be earned in multiple ways however the most common way is by fights. In the book, Anderson claims There are always people around looking for a fight in order to increase their share of respect (73).The ersatz to engaging in random fights is intimidation through physical appearance. The way a person is viewed depends on physical their appearance where factors such as the more jewelry one has, the most expensive clothing, and even the way one grooms oneself determines the amount of respect they have.In the last example Doughboy seeks revenge for his brothers murder and, in the process the characters act out Andersons ideas slightly reasons for revenge and Tres decent kid dilemma. Ricky was a much loved and valued member of the group of boys featured in the film. By murdering Ricky, the group of other males has greatly disrespected Doughboys position in the streets.Doughboy, as Anderson would predict, does no t appear to fear death as he will face Rickys murderers with his gun and kill them, knowing, as he discusses the next day with Tre, that he will most likely get smoked, meaning shot to death. True nerve expresses a lose of fear of death and this proves manhood, which is very closely related to respect (Anderson, 92). worry Tyree in Andersons book, Doughboy feels an obligation to hurt those that hurt his brother and gains berth from hurting others in the most severe form (Anderson, 84). Doughboy is purely a street kid.In short, Andersons book, Code of the Street discusses ideas of decent and street families as well as the crucial concept of respect in a way that is in agreement with the film Boyz N the Hood. The actions of Tre and his father mirror those of a decent family living in poor minority community and Doughboys actions are characteristic of Andersons ideas about street individuals. Their lives warrant examination in order to determine causes of villainy as well as reason s why not all individuals in these violent communities are criminals.It is clear that opportunities need to be afforded to the individuals in these communities so that they can have hope for the future and not end up with the mindset of Doughboy that it doesnt matter if hes shot because everyone has to die sometime. The people must be allowed access to the resources necessary to become decent families which include alternative avenues to gaining juice.As opposed to achieving respect through violence and drug dealing, other standards and means to reach those standards need to be instilled in the community. Education and job training should be stressed and drug problems should be treated. Violence in the community should also be controlled so that individuals feel safe and decent kids can listen to music and study as opposed to the popping sounds of gunshots.