The Stability of Street Code Attitudes from Adolescence to Adulthood

• In Event: From Adolescence to Adulthood: Longitudinal Research on Key Factors Associated with Criminal Behavior

Abstract

Code of the street has been a widely used theoretical framework to explain cultural nuances linked to crime. Yet, there is limited research that looks at the longevity of street code adherence across the life course. This area of study is particularly relevant to examine because it can lend insight into the developmental nature of street code and its subsequent consequences in adulthood. The current study contributes to this gap by measuring the stability of street code adherence among a unique sample of participants. Data from a long-term follow-up study of the National Evaluation of the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) program are used. Approximately 30 percent of the original sample (n = 3,820; 7 cities) completed a follow-up survey in 2025 or early 2026. A total of five waves of data were included in the final analysis. Structural equation modeling was used to measure the stability of street code adherence from adolescence to adulthood. The results shed light on the evolution of street code across the life course and provide important practical implications in terms of avenues for intervention.

Authors

• Rosa I. Rivera, Michigan State University

• Dena Carson, Indiana University Indianapolis

• Chris Melde, Michigan State University