Laws and Communities

People need ways to get along with each other. One way is to have laws. A law is a rule that tells people how to behave in their communities. Laws can help people live together safely and treat each other fairly.

Think of laws that you follow. In many communities, you are obeying a law when you wear a seat belt. That law helps keep people safe. Can you think of another law that we have not that helps to keep people safe?

Following the rules and laws is part of being a citizen. A citizen is an offical member of a community, state, or country. Citizens can help their communities in important ways. In the United States, citizens choose people to be their leaders. The leaders make laws with the help of the citizens. One law says that people born in the United States are citizens Another law says that other people can become citizens, too.

Think about your community. What laws does it have? May be there is a law about waiting for the walk light before crossing the street That law lets people who are driving and walking share the street safely. There might be a law against littering, to keep your community clean. Your community is different from any other.