What Citizenship Means to Me Essay

Citizenship can be defined as the position or status of being a citizen in a particular country (Oxford Dictionaries, 2016). This definition is not very broad, nor does it cover the many aspects of citizenship that exist in the 21st century. It is not only about being a legal citizen of a particular country, it is also about being a social citizen. You can be a citizen of Australia but choose to live elsewhere for the majority of your life. In terms of citizenship it is relevant on a political and social level. If you are actively contributing to the country in which you live in some ways you are fulfilling your duties as a citizen.

Citizens are the people that make up an country. They work together to help things run smoothly. George W. Bush once said “America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above

According to T. H Marshall, citizenship is a status given to all members of a community. This idea of status is about greater equality, about assuring rights and duties. Firstly, citizenship is a status attached to full membership of a community. Secondly, those who possess this status are equal with respect to the rights and duties associated with it. Social Citizenship encompasses a “whole range” of rights, from “a measure of welfare and security to the right to share and live a dignified life.”

To be an American citizen you must have some beliefs and value. You first need to start off by being born in America. If you aren't born in America, then you are technolicy not a citizen until you take the test and do the paperwork. Another belief of being an American citizen is to have equal rights. Each and every American has equal rights and liberty no matter who you are you will always have equality. Each American will be protected and have the amendments back them up when it comes to the court or any crime. The top 10 amendments go for every single American and they are the most important to make sure you live a safe life. Each and every American will not be discriminated. When it comes to beliefs of religion and what race you are you

"Citizenship is the common thread that connects all Americans. We are a nation bound not by race or religion, but by the shared values of freedom, liberty, and equality." Over the past few hundred years here in the United States we have welcomed tons of people from all over the world to pursue their own life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. These unalienable rights belong to all humans who are equal in Gods eyes. “We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future” George Bernard Shaw. Being an American citizen gives you all sorts of rights, freedoms and also responsibilities. Everyone is given the right to freedom of expression and to worship as they please, as long as they following the responsibilities

John F. Kennedy once said, “My fellow Americans, ask not what country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” The citizens of the United States are granted many rights, even some that are not granted in other countries. Along with these rights, come duties and responsibilities every citizen is expected to fulfill. The three major responsibilities that citizens are expected to fulfill are to abide the law, vote during elections, and defend the United States if need shall arise.

I think too many people over think the duties they have as an American Citizen it is not a competition on who has most patriotism. Growing up I always thought pay your taxes and staying out of trouble mean you are a good citizen, it was not until I started to attend college and took my first history class that I learn there is a lot more to it. I learned in that class one of the most important duties you have as an American Citizen is voting. I never felt like my vote matter so I always stayed clear of voting polls, my instructor informed me every vote courts and I was letting down all the people who gave their life so I would have the right to vote. Another duty of an American Citizen is to encourage the mind of the youth this is important

The deeper meaning of citizenship as I read it in Chapter 1 is that citizenship means belonging to and participating in the community that one lives in. The belonging to is the easy part, it requires nothing but physical presence, the act of participating requires work. In order to be a full citizen requires one to become aware of and educated on the issues of the day. After a person has educated themselves, in some other manner than TV, the work gets hard. Voting is just one step in the process of good citizenship. Members of congress and the POTUS are contacted on a daily basis from corporations and large groups about their wants and needs. Individuals must follow up with pressure (in the form of letters, visits, and phone calls) stating

In other words the way a nation or community stays strong and undivided is through good citizenship. For example, a couple of years ago I went around town and helped pick up trash along with some other citizens. By doing this we showed good citizenship. I believe everyone should always show good citizenship to help out their town, community, and country.

Whether it be metaphorical or not, citizenship can mean a sense of belonging to anyone within its guidelines. Citizenship, while it does have a legal application, doesn’t mean that it has to a physical boundary. Communities can be viewed as citizenships within citizenships. In “The Solitary Stroller and the City” Solnit talks about experiencing a lack of community and citizenship while in a large city. She talks about being in a state of solitude in a city full of people. In “Driving”, Ian Borden writes about how a car is meant for the open road and not to keep in the garage away from others. So, a healthy citizenship is not based on

The word citizenship, in my opinion, is a diverse word because it means many things. We think of the word, ‘Citizenship,’ of our soldiers fighting for us or our towns leaders that make our community a great place. While those are good examples of citizenships, there is more to that than those two. Everyone in our community and country earn citizenship from the things they’ve done. Anyone from any country has some form of citizenship, it’s a worldwide thing. With citizenship, we begin to organize a great place for our community and make our citizens in this country aware of the great things.

Attributes that a responsible and faithful citizen acquires; many of which include respecting the laws and authority, diversity, property, and the environment. A responsible citizen contributes to the community, has a willingness to learn, is considerate, and many other characteristics. But words can never describe the act taken upon in such manner of cede as in 9/11. Through my citizenship and the courageous acts taken during and after 9/11, I have learned that serving is one of my many responsibilities, responsibilities that can be acted upon now or in the future. I currently serve in my church, high school, and family. In the future, I will be serving on government requirements such as: jury duty, paying taxes, and the option of voting. I have found that as an American, my citizenship is a treasure I must take pride in. Privileges and rights are just a factor of having a citizenship. The Founding Fathers of our nation believed in citizenship and my responsibilities are a minor act of gratitude towards the efforts and honor to others who have gone before me to do the same for the past

The United States a glorious country. It was founded on July 4th, 1776 in Philadelphia; it declared its independence on that day with the Declaration of Independence. A few years later during the year of 1796, the first 10 amendments were ratified. However, it wasn’t until July 28th, 1868 that the 14th amendment was ratified; it declared such that all persons who were born within the United States or naturalized will automatically be granted the title of citizenship. Though, what exactly does it mean to be a citizen? How does it tie to the right to vote; maybe even the critical issues that are faced today due to this?

What does it mean to be a citizen? Or what does it mean to be a republican citizen? Every thinker will give a different definition to the concept of citizenship through history. Sometimes their definition will nuance just slightly. In the classical definition of citizenship, Aristotle and some other thinkers see the citizen as an “active, political being” (P35). An active citizen is the one who will get involved in the activities of her or his community. In the self-govern republic, the citizen will get involve in the political life. However, the political requires some sacrifice, at least one has to dedicate her or his time at the expenses of his personal life. In fact, Dagger suggests states that the citizen has to be “prepared to […] set aside their private interest when necessary for the public as a whole” (P17). Many will interpret this as a need for the citizen to sacrifice his personal interest for others, the community. Therefore, they

The main responsibilities of American Citizenship is to welcome immigrants, be an active member in the community and abide by the American flag. America is uniquely known to offer a better opportunity and life to those outside of America. Military forces ensure the security of America. There are several events where the American flag is held followed by the National Anthem which is about America’s victory and those who has lost their lives to ensure that the people are safe. Last but not least being an active member in local communities shows America’s involvement in becoming a greater country. Nevertheless, the culture of American citizenship shows the bonds and culture which is shared between citizens and importantly represents who “We the People” are.