"The code of the streets is actually a cultural adaptation to a profound lack of faith in the police and the judicial system. The police are most often seen as representing the dominant white society and not caring to protect inner- city residents. When called, they may not respond, which is one reason many residents feel they must be prepared to take extraordinary measures to defend themselves and their loved ones against those who are inclined to aggression. Lack of police accountability has in fact been incorporated into the status system: the person who is believed capable of "taking care of himself" is accorded a certain deference, which translates into a sense of physical and psychological control. Thus the street code emerges where the influence of the police ends and personal responsibility for one's safety is felt to begin. Exacerbated by the proliferation of drugs and easy access to guns, this volatile situation results in the ability of the street oriented minority (or those who effectively "go for bad") to dominate the public spaces." (Anderson, Code of the Street).
Anderson main argument in his research is that the behavior of many youths is influenced by the street culture or code. This “code” governs how youth from the inner city will react in a violent manor when faced with impersonal attacks or any show of disrespect. Through Anderson’s study he was able to give us the day to day struggle for some inner city children, and why they were unable to express nothing but violence to one another. As stated above the code of the street stems in part from the belief by some in the inner city that they are responsible for their own safety and well being. Many in impoverished areas feel that they aren't going to receive the same protection that those in mainstream society will receive, which serves to reinforce their belief in the need to follow the code of the streets. The devotion to the code of the streets is looked upon as a necessary evil that is necessary to ensure their very survival, in the environment in which they presently find themselves. Once one is recognized by others as a “Man” one who can take care of himself, the increased sense of self worth.