Lesson 7: Citizens Rights and Responsibilities

Question 1

Citizen Definition

Answer 1

a person who owes loyalty to a particular nation and is entitled to all its rights and protections

Question 2

Civic Virtue Definition

Answer 2

the willingness to work for the good of the nation or community even at great sacrifice

Question 3

Immigrant Definition

Answer 3

a person who enters another country in order to settle there

Question 4

Jury Duty Definition

Answer 4

the responsibility of every citizen to serve on a jury when called

Question 5

Naturalized Definition

Answer 5

to grant citizenship to a person who has met official requirements for becoming a citizen

Question 6

Patriotism Definition

Answer 6

a feeling of love and devotion to one’s country

Question 7

Resident Alien Definition

Answer 7

a person living in a country where he or she is not a citizen

Question 8

What are the ways a person becomes a citizen in the United States?

Answer 8

To be a citizen of the United States, you must have fulfilled one of three requirements:

You were born in the United States, or at least one parent is a citizen of the United States.

You were naturalized, that is, you have completed the official legal process for becoming a citizen if you were born outside the United States.

You were 18 or younger when your parents were naturalized.

Question 9

What is the process of naturalization in America?

Answer 9

Throughout American history, many millions of immigrants have become naturalized citizens. An immigrant is a person who enters another country in order to settle there.
To illustrate the naturalization process, we will look at one immigrant’s story. At age 15, Carla Rojas came to the United States from Argentina. Her mother returned home two years later, but Rojas decided to remain. After submitting numerous documents and photographs and attending several interviews, she received permission to remain in the country as a resident alien, or noncitizen living in the country. After a required five-year waiting period, Carla submitted an application for citizenship. She had to take a test to show that she was comfortable with the English language and that she was familiar with American history and government. She also had to show that she was of “good moral character.” Then, a naturalization examiner interviewed her about her reasons for becoming a citizen. At last, Rojas stood before a judge and took the oath that confirmed her as an American citizen: I hereby declare, on oath, that … I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States against all enemies … that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same … so help me God.

—Oath of Allegiance to the United States

Question 10

What is the only right a naturalized citizen does not have?

Answer 10

A naturalized citizen enjoys every right of a natural-born citizen except one. Only natural-born citizens may serve as President or Vice President.

Question 11

What are some rights and responsibilities of citizens?

Answer 11

All American citizens have equal rights under the law. Americans have the right to speak freely, to worship as they choose, to vote, and to serve on juries. These rights are not based on inherited wealth or family connections. They are the rights of American citizens. Still, nothing is free. As you will see, if we want to enjoy the rights of citizenship, we must also accept its responsibilities. These rights and responsibilities reflect America’s national identity—the common set of values that unites Americans. For example, citizens have both the right and the responsibility to vote. This reflects the principles of independence, liberty, and self-governance upheld in the Constitution and valued by the American people.

Question 12

What are civic virtues, and why did the Founding Fathers admire Rome’s?

Answer 12

The Founding Fathers admired civic virtue, that is, the willingness to work for the good of the nation or community even at great sacrifice. They looked to Roman models such as Cincinnatus, who, it was said, gave up a peaceful life on his farm when called upon to lead Rome. Again and again, leaders such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams put the common good ahead of their own wishes. These three presidents maintained that democracy requires virtuous behavior by citizens. The leaders feared that without this responsible behavior, American liberty would be at risk. How can a democracy run if individuals do not think about what is best for society and not just for themselves?

Question 13

What are the values that form the foundation of a democracy?

Answer 13

You do not have to go to great lengths to be a good citizen. At home, at school, and in the community, you can work to develop the values that are the foundation of our democratic system. Among these basic values are honesty and compassion. Others include patriotism, respect, responsibility, and courage.

Question 14

What is the democratic value of patriotism?

Answer 14

A key democratic value is patriotism, or a feeling of love and devotion toward one’s country. A sense of patriotism inspires Americans to serve their nation. It also encourages us to fulfill the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

Question 15

What is the democratic value of respect?

Answer 15

As citizens, we must respect ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and the other members of our community. Respect may also involve objects or ideas. For example, a good citizen respects the property of others and the laws of the nation.

Question 16

What is the democratic value of Responsibility?

Answer 16

Responsibility may be both personal and public. We must accept responsibility for ourselves and the consequences of our actions and behaviors. In a democracy, individuals are expected to look out for themselves and for one another. For example, parents have a duty to support their families and teach their children. This is important because children depend on parents and families depend on one another. As a student, you have a responsibility to learn.

Question 17

What is the democratic value of Courage?

Answer 17

Courage may be either physical or moral. Soldiers, police, or firefighters display physical courage when they risk their lives for the good of others. Moral courage enables us to do the right thing even when it is unpopular, difficult, or dangerous. Americans such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, and Martin Luther King, Jr., faced risks in order to defend democratic values.

Question 18

What is the only way we can meet our needs as a democratic society?

Answer 18

As citizens, we must accept our own civic responsibilities. Only if government and citizens work together can we meet our needs as a democratic society.

Question 19

What is the Responsibility to Vote?

Answer 19

As citizens of a republic, we have the right to select the people who will represent us in government. But if that right is to have any meaning, then we must fulfill our responsibility to vote. A good citizen studies the candidates and the issues in order to make responsible choices.

Question 20

What is the Responsibility to have an Obligation to Obey Laws and Rules?

Answer 20

In the Constitution, “we the people” give the government the power to make laws for us. Thus, we have a duty to obey the nation’s laws. We have thousands of laws that keep us from hurting one another, regulate contracts, and protect citizens’ rights. No one can know them all, but you must know and obey the laws that affect your life and actions. You also have a responsibility to obey rules. You already have rules at home and rules at school—even rules to games you play. These rules are not enforced by the government as laws are. Like laws, however, they keep us safe, help us live together, and teach us to be accountable for our behavior. By learning to obey rules such as not to hit or cheat when we are young, we learn about responsible citizenship.

Question 21

What is the Responsibility to Defend the Nation?

Answer 21

Americans have the duty to help defend the nation against threats to its peace or security. At age 18, all men must register for the draft. In time of war, the government may call them to serve in the armed forces. Many young citizens feel the duty to enlist in the military without being called.

Question 22

What is the Responsibility to serve on juries?

Answer 22

The Bill of Rights guarantees the right to trial by jury. In turn, every citizen has the responsibility to serve on a jury when called. Jury duty is a serious matter. Jurors must take time out from their work and personal lives to decide the fate of others.

Question 23

Who do citizens participate in their communities?

Answer 23

Many Americans use their time and skills to improve their communities or to help others. As you read, David Levitt was in middle school when he started a program to help the needy in his Florida community. Many young people participate in walk-a-thons or bike-a-thons for charity. Others volunteer in hospitals or fire departments. When serious natural disasters damage cities and regions, millions of citizens aid in rescue efforts, donate blood, or contribute money and supplies.

Question 24

What is the Responsibility to Stay Informed on Public Issues?

Answer 24

Thomas Jefferson observed, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free … it expects what never was and never will be.” You cannot protect your rights as a citizen unless you know what they are. You cannot choose elected officials who will make good decisions unless you know where they stand on the issues. It is your responsibility to be informed. You can watch television news programs and read newspapers, magazines, or government pamphlets. Your work in school will help you become educated about our history, our government, and the workings of our society.