What does it mean when someone says they come from the "streets"?

I have not heard that in many years
I think it meant they grew up without the help of adult mentors (family, neighborhood old timers, clergy or a decent school) and had to put life together all by themselves
And yes...maybe they had to join a gang in some places

From my experience when someone says that it means they intend to play by their own rules rather than a code of conduct recognized by society. It usually means they plan on being a dirt bag.

[deleted]

As opposed to a warm and loving home, I guess. Instead they hung out with other troubled youngsters and thugs, learning how to survive according to their rules. A tough life.

I always assumed that coming from the streets means that you are from a big city.... the rough side of that city?
I grew up in the country, so what the heck do I know?

☣️

As opposed to normal people that came from a womb.

It means nothing. Sorry, but I've never heard any person outside of film or TV describe themselves in this way. And the people in those movies/shows usually are not actually that badly off to make such a claim. So it means nothing.