Constructing Cultural Models through Response to Literature

streets constituting the life of innercity street adolescents, a primary high-level goal is that of gaining respect from one s peers. Anderson argues that these adolescents, largely African American males, garner little respect from the world outside of their inner city neighborhoods. They therefore seek respect from their immediate peers by creating a selfimage of someone not be 'messed with' or 'dissed' (80). An adolescent projects an image of someone to be respected by wearing the right clothes, establishing prowess within a peer group, appearing to be tough, and avenging any perceived challenges to their reputation. One way to gain respect is to display nerve: