Chapter 5 Section 2-Duties and Roles of Citizenship

In order for our society to work, citizens must obey the law. In the united States, you must go to school until the age of 16. School is important because it provides citizens with critical thinking skills to help them choose leaders and understand issues. Education also provides workforce skills.

Citizens must pay taxes. When we pay taxes on purchases, we are paying for public services such as road repair, police protection, and national security.

When the country needs people to fight wars, it may issue a draft, A draft requires men of certain ages and qualifications to serve in the military. Citizens must also serve on a jury if they are called to do so. This service is call jury duty. The Constitution guarantees citizens the right to a trial by their peers--their fellow citizens.

In a representative government, citizens also have responsibilities-tasks we should do as citizens but are not required by law.

In order to give consent to our lawmakers in government, we should vote. Voting is a way to show our decision makers whether we agree with their opinions on issues. Becoming informed about key issues , candidates and current events will help you make informed choices when you vote.

By knowing your own rights as a citizen, you can make sure you respect the rights of the people around you. You should also know if someone else's rights are being violated.