Ch. 5
The Duties and
Responsibilities of Citizenship
Duties and Responsiblities
A Citizen’s Legal Duties
• Each of us belongs to many communities:
- neighborhood
- town, city
- school
- church
- state
- country
• As community members, we have many
responsibilities – things we should do or
obligations that we fulfill voluntarily
A Citizen’s Legal Duties
• As citizens, we also have duties – things we
are required to do.
• We must fulfill duties required by national,
state, and local governments or face fines
or imprisonment.
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5.
Duties
Obey the Law - Serve specific purposes, such as to
help people get along, prevent accidents, and see
that resources are used fairly
Pay Taxes - Government uses tax money to pay
police, pave roads, and maintain armed forces.
People pay a percentage of what they bring in, or
on the sale of goods or even property.
Defend the Nation - In the U.S. all men aged 18-25
must register with the government in case the
country needs to draft, or call up men for military
service; today military service is voluntary.
Serve in Court - Every adult citizen must be
prepared to serve on a jury or as a witness at a trial
if called to do so.
Attend School - Most states require young people to
attend school until the age of 16.
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Civic Responsibilities
Be Informed - Know what the government is doing
so that you can voice your opinion.
- People can learn about issues and leaders by
reading print publications, listening to news on the
radio or T.V., talking o people, and searching the
internet * Be aware of your rights
Speak Up and Vote - Remember, the government
exists to serve you, but you must make your
concerns known.
- Calling, writing, or sending e-mails to your
elected representatives; joining political parties;
working for a cause
- VOTE
Respect Other’s Rights - people must respect
public property and the property of others.
- vandalizing and littering are not only disrespectful
but also a crime.
Civic Responsibilities
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5.
Respect Diversity - Although we may disagree with
people or disapprove of their lifestyles, these people
have an equal right to their beliefs and practices
- Tolerance means respecting and accepting others,
regardless of their beliefs, practices, or differences.
- Diversity in our country is a strength, all citizens are
equal and entitled to be treated the same.
Contribute to the Common Good- Contributing time,
effort, and money to help others and to improve the
community life.
- Be an active participant in your community
Citizens and the Community
• Americans do volunteer work to help make their communities
better places to live.
• A community is a group of people who share the same
interests and concerns.
• Many volunteers today are students between grades 6-12.
• Government at all levels, provide many needs for the
people, but resources are limited.
• Governments are bureaucracies – complex systems with
many departments, rules, and people in the chain of
command.
• This often makes it difficult for government to respond quickly
to social problems.
Citizens and the Community
• Good citizens of this country are concerned about
the welfare – the health, prosperity, and happiness
of all members of the community.
• Some people participate in the community by
leading a scout troop; others mentor school
children; visit nursing homes; and collecting canned
goods. Ex. PTA
Citizens and the
Community
• Volunteerism is the practice of offering your time and services
to others without payment.
• Instead of their time, many Americans contribute money to
charity
• In 2005, people gave more than $250 billion to charity.
Average 2% of their income.
• Most came from average individual citizens, some came from
large corporations.
• Many companies believe in giving back to the community.
• Ex. sponsoring a recreational sports team, donating prizes for
community fund-raisers, contributing to college scholarships to
students
• Ex. Bentonville, Arkansas – Wal-Mart
Citizens and the
Community
• When it comes to volunteering, people are
more likely to participate when they feel a
personal connection to a cause or know
others involved ex. PTA
• There are more than 1 million registered
charities with the federal government; many
are small and locally based.
• All are dependant on ordinary people
giving their time.
Citizens and the Community
• More than half of all U.S. middle schools and high schools now
arrange community service for students from 6-12 grade.
• Several hundred school districts now require high school students
to volunteer a set number of hours to earn a graduation
diploma.
• The federal government has created national volunteer
programs:
• 1961, John F. Kennedy challenged Americans to fight poverty,
disease, and war in the poorest corners of the world.
• Established the Peace Corps which now has 180,000 members in
138 countries.
• Includes advising farmers, teaching children, vaccinations
against disease, etc.
Citizens and the
Community
•
AmeriCorps was established in 1993. 50,000 Americans participate.
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Domestically help disaster victims, clean up polluted rivers, assist
individuals with disabilities.
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In exchange, people receive a small living allowance and money to
help pay for college.
Senior Corps established in 1965, is a volunteer program for people
aged 55 and older. Consists of 3 main programs:
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- Foster grandparents for children with special needs
- Senior companions for other seniors
- The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (meals on wheels) or
other neighborhood activities
Citizens and the
Community
• USA Freedom Corps was a new program
implemented by George W. Bush which
brought together all three programs:
Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps
• Meant to focus on three areas of need:
- responding to national emergencies
- rebuilding our communities
- extending American compassion around
the world
Citizens and the
Community
• By banding together, we truly serve
ourselves.
• The benefits of volunteering:
- make our communities better places to live
- gain opportunities to learn, make friends,
improve skills
- gain the satisfaction of knowing that a
difference has been made in someone
else’s life.