Code of the Street and the Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence Among African Americans

Background and Purpose:
African Americans (AAs) experience disproportionately high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV), with over half reporting lifetime experiences of IPV. Existing research attributes these disparities to systemic racial oppression and socioeconomic inequalities. Structural racism has contributed to the overrepresentation of AAs in communities with elevated rates of violence. According to the “code of the street” (COTS) thesis, such environments may socialize individuals to resolve conflicts through violence, which can extend into intimate relationships. However, limited research has explored the link between COTS attitudes and IPV perpetration. Guided by Black masculinity and Black feminist frameworks, this study examines the relationship between endorsement of COTS and IPV perpetration among AAs, with attention to gender differences.

Methods:
In 2024, we recruited a sample of 1,352 African American adults (ages 18+) using Qualtrics online panels. Participants received an email invitation to complete a survey on healthy relationships in Black communities and were offered a $10 cash incentive for completing the 30-minute survey. Informed consent was obtained at the start of the survey, and Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was secured.

The final sample included 636 men (46.7%) and 716 women (52.6%), with an average age of 48. About 32.9% had completed a high school diploma or GED, and 44.6% reported household incomes of $35,000 or more. Nearly half (48.9%) were single and had never been married. Most identified as heterosexual (85.3%), had never been incarcerated (85.3%), and had never perpetrated IPV (71.5%). Endorsement of COTS averaged 18.38 (SD = 5.02) on a scale from 7 to 28, with higher scores indicating stronger endorsement.

Results:
Across the full sample, higher COTS endorsement and a history of incarceration emerged as significant predictors of IPV perpetration. Among men, those with higher COTS scores and a history of incarceration were more likely to report having perpetrated IPV. Conversely, men who reported being in dating or sexually intimate relationships were less likely to report IPV perpetration compared to those who were single and never married. Among women, IPV perpetration was also predicted by higher COTS scores and incarceration history.

Conclusions and Implications:
Findings reveal a significant association between endorsement of the code of the street and IPV perpetration among African Americans. These results underscore the need for IPV interventions that address the underlying cultural and social attitudes related to violence, particularly those shaped by the code of the street. Tailored approaches that incorporate culturally responsive frameworks are essential to reducing IPV in African American communities.