Boys Code of Conduct Essay Example

was distracted and quickly rushed back home, leaving the bewildered boy behind. Tony's advice, "Send a message," resonated with Wes.

He concealed his fear, refusing to acknowledge the terror festering within him. Wes took a knife from his mother’s kitchen and sprinted towards the boy, determined to deliver his message. He had a point to prove - he was no longer a child but a man, untouchable by anyone. Katz had learned these two rules through sheer hardship. Recalling a past brawl with a larger classmate in fifth grade, which had left him with a bleeding lip, he understood the importance of self-defense. Upon returning home, his parents forced him to confess and he pleaded with them not to contact the other boy's mother.

Katz was aware that he had violated the "never rat" rule and understood that Barry, whom he had fought, would seek revenge. The following day, Barry was searching for Katz. Katz felt both ashamed and frightened for snitching. His friend Justin told him, "You asked for it." Katz recognized that it was a consequence of his actions, as he was known for being well-behaved and informing his parents. In the book, The Other Wes Moore, Shea invited Wes to graffiti. Wes could not refuse. Upon his relocation to the Bronx, Wes encountered certain expectations in the streets.

Shea and Wes, two respected young hustlers in the neighborhood, both had a passion for running. Wes felt the need to meet Shea's expectations in order to prove himself as a man. Displaying their graffiti skills, they each took out cans of spray paint. Wes's tag consisted of a KK with

a circle around it. However, their spray painting session was abruptly interrupted when a police cruiser suddenly arrived on the scene. Both Shea and Wes found themselves in the back seat of the police car, leaving Wes feeling terrified and unsure of what would come next.

He was afraid of disappointing his mother, but too proud to show it. He didn't want to appear obedient. "Boys exist in a world with their own Code of conduct; a set of strict, implicit rules." Katz provides examples of how boys transition into men; they develop hardened hearts and avoid showing vulnerability. The novel, The Other Wes Moore, aligns with Katz's explanations. Both Weses conceal their emotions and develop enigmatic personalities. Both boys are faced with choices and must take actions to demonstrate maturity; to become men.