Book
Street corner society: the social structure of an Italian slum
University of Chicago Press • Chicago • Published In 1993 • Pages:
By: Whyte, William Foote.
Abstract
"Street Corner Society" is considered by many social scientists as a classic in the sociological literature. The original monograph, based on field work in 1936-1940, and published in 1943, has been updated with new material in subsequent new editions of the book in 1955, 1981, and the fourth, or fiftieth anniversary, edition in 1993. This is a study of the social structure of what Whyte refers to as "street corner society" (young male gangs, cliques and clubs) living in the inner city area of Boston's north end; an area inhabited almost exclusively by Italian immigrants and their children -- the area referred to in the text as "Cornerville". Whyte describes his acceptance into one of the street corner gangs (the Norton Street gang), through his friendship with its leader "Doc" (Ernest Pecci). Whyte then describes the internal structure of this gang, its function in the overall society, and its relationship to another youth oriented club known as the Italian Community Club composed in large part of college students under the leadership of Chick Morelli (Christopher Iannella). Whyte also provides additional information on the racket and political organization of the north end and their relationship to the clubs and cliques constituting Cornerville society.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2018
- Region
- North America
- Sub Region
- Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Types
- Sociologist
- Economist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- John Beierle ; 1999
- Field Date
- 1936-1940
- Coverage Date
- 1860s - 1940
- Coverage Place
- "Cornerville", north end of Boston, Mass., United States
- Notes
- William Foote Whyte
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 390-392) and index
- LCCN
- 92042262
- LCSH
- Italian Americans