Rights, Duties and Responsibilities
I.
Rights of Citizens
•
As a United States citizen, you have certain rights. These include but
are not limited to:
1) The right to vote and hold elected office;
2) The right to say what you think in speech or writing;
3) The right to practice your own religion;
4) The right to have a fair trial.
•
These rights are guaranteed to us by the Constitution, and are
protected by our laws and our courts.
Free Speech
II.
Duties of Citizens
•
American citizens have certain duties, too, which come along with our
rights. These duties include but are not limited to:
1) Obeying the laws;
2) Defending the nation;*
3) Serving on a jury or as a witness in court;
4) Paying taxes;
5) Attending school.
•
By performing these duties we help the government do its job to
protect the needs of all citizens.
•
* The Selective Service Act requires all men to register at the age of
eighteen. Selective Service registration is necessary in the event of
war which necessitates a draft. If you don’t register with the Selective
Service, you may not be eligible for a drivers license, you may not
serve as a police officer or firefighter, and you may not be eligible for
financial aid for college. Women are not required to register.
Selective Service System
What do you think? Should women be required to register for Selective
Service?
III.
Responsibilities of Citizens
•
As American citizens we have certain responsibilities. Although they
are not required by law, they are expected of all of us so that society
can function well. These responsibilities include:
1) Working toward the common good;
2) Voting;
3) Holding government office;
4) Participating in election campaigns;
5) Influencing government (letter-writing, petitions, attendance at
school board meetings or town-hall meetings);
6) Serving the community (volunteering).
What other responsibilities do you think are important for
American citizens to fulfill?