Chapter 3.3Duties & Responsibilities

of U.S. Citizens

What are the duties of American citizens?

Duties – actions we are required to perform

• Set by laws• Subject to penalities

under the law– Fines, prison

Responsibilities – the things we should do

• Obligations we meet of our own free will

Duties of Citizenship

• Obey Laws– Federal and state

• Pay Taxes– Provides $$ to keep the government running– Local, state, and federal– Military defense– Examples include income tax, property tax,

and state taxes on goods purchased

• Serve in Court– Defined by the U.S. Constitution– Right to a trial by jury

• A jury is a group of citizens who hear evidence in a case and decide whether or not the accused is guilty

– Citizens have the duty to serve as witnesses if called to do so

• Attend school– Government provides free public education– Children 7-16 years of age must attend

school

National Defense

• Selective Service System (SSS)– Males citizens ages

18-25 must register– Government may

draft men from the list to support war or national emergency

– Last draft was in 1973 in support of the Vietnam War

U.S. Armed Forces

U.S. Military Tribute - We Are One

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsnNuzN9F5Y

Responsibilities of Citizens

• Be an informed an active citizen– State legislature, school board, town council– Support causes, voice your concerns– Study candidates, know the issues

• Respect the rights of others– Tolerance – respecting and accepting others

• Contribute to the common good– Community efforts

Being InvolvedHow can citizens make their community a better place to live?

• Donating time and money• Volunteerism – giving your time to work in

the community

• The spirit of volunteerism• More than 1 million charities in the U.S.

• National service programs• Peace Corps, Learn and Serve America• AmeriCorps, Senior Corps