The Role of the Citizen

The Role of the Citizen

Kaplan Lesson

Citizenship

This is a relationship between and person and a nation: the nation owes the person certain rights and guarantees; the person has certain obligations to the nation. Thus citizens of the United States have right and responsibilities.

How do we become citizens?

• People who are born in the US automatically become citizens regardless of circumstance.

• No matter where you were born, if one of your parents is a US citizen, you become a citizen.

• People who immigrate to the US can become citizens through the legal process of naturalization.

• Underage children are naturalized with their parents.

Our rights as citizens

• All of our rights are listed in the Bill of Rights as well as other sections. All of these can be found in the US Constitution.

• Our most fundamental right is the right to participate in our nations politics

• We are eligible to vote and hold public office.

• We also have the ability to vote for representatives to govern us.

Our duties as citizens

• First and foremost, we must uphold the laws of our country

• We pay taxes for services that the government provides for the benefit of everyone

• We vote to make the political process more meaningful

• National service, such as military service, helps keep our homeland safe

Jury Duty

• This is a prime example of the give and take of citizenship

• We are given the right to a fair and speedy trial by a "jury of our peers" when accused of crimes

• This does mean, however, we are expected to serve as jury members or even witnesses when called upon by the court

• This also means our employer is obligated to release us from work at the request of the courts

Multiple Choice

What document outlines the rights of a citizen?

• The Declaration of Independence

• The U.S. Constitution

• A U.S. passport

• A person's naturalization papers

Multiple Choice

Which of the following values is supported by the Fourth Amendment

• Free speech

• Privacy

• Civic duty

• Volunteerism

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a conclusion based on the graph rather than a detail of the graph?

• About 63% of people aged 45-64 reported voting in the 2012 presidential election

• Those aged 65+ reported the highest voter turnout in the 2012 presidential election, at 70%

• If the 2012 presidential election is representative of the elections generally in the U.S., voter turnout increases with age

• Only about 38% of young people reported voting in the 2012 presidential election