What does it mean to be a citizen?
A citizen is a member of a country. In Canada and the United States, people become citizens by being born there, by having a parent who is a citizen, or by moving there and going through a process to become a citizen. New citizens often take part in a special citizenship ceremony.
Citizenship comes with rights (things you are free to do or protected from) and responsibilities (things you should do for others). Rights and responsibilities always go together.
Rights
A right is a freedom or protection that every person should have. Rights protect people from being treated unfairly.
| Right | What it means |
|---|---|
| Right to be safe | Nobody may hurt you. |
| Right to education | Every child can go to school. |
| Freedom of speech | You can share your ideas and opinions. |
| Freedom of religion | You can practise your religion, or no religion. |
| Equality | Everyone is treated equally by the law. |
| Right to a fair trial | If accused of breaking a law, you get a fair hearing. |
| Right to vote | Adult citizens can choose their leaders. |
In Canada, many rights are written in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In the United States, many are written in the Bill of Rights, part of the Constitution. Children also have special rights, listed by the United Nations in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Responsibilities
A responsibility is a duty to others and to the community. Citizens are expected to:
- obey the law
- respect the rights of others
- take care of the environment
- help others in the community
- vote in elections (for adults)
- serve on a jury if asked (for adults)
- pay taxes (for adults who earn money)
Rights and responsibilities go together
Every right comes with a matching responsibility.
| If I have the right to… | Then I have the responsibility to… |
|---|---|
| speak my mind | let others speak and listen respectfully |
| be safe | not hurt others |
| an education | come to school ready to learn |
| a clean environment | not litter and to recycle |
| be treated fairly | treat others fairly |
Laws protect rights
A law is a rule made by government that everyone must follow. Laws keep order and make sure one person’s choices don’t harm others. For example, laws about seatbelts protect people in cars, and laws against stealing protect people’s belongings.
Everyone must follow the law, including leaders, police officers and judges. This idea is called the rule of law.
Voting and democracy
In a democracy, citizens choose their leaders by voting. Canada and the United States are both democracies.
When adult citizens vote, they mark a secret ballot to choose the person or party they want. In both countries, citizens must be 18 or older to vote in national elections. Voting is both a right and a responsibility, because leaders make decisions that affect everyone.
Kids can practise democracy too: by voting on a class name, choosing a class pet or electing a student council.
Being a good citizen as a kid
You don’t have to wait to be a grown-up! You can:
- follow school and community rules
- stand up for someone who is being treated unfairly
- volunteer with your family
- learn about your community and country
- share your ideas respectfully
Try it yourself
- Choose one right from the table. Describe the responsibility that goes with it.
- Hold a class vote on something simple. How did it feel to vote?
- Write three rules for a "fair classroom" and explain the right each one protects.
- Talk with an adult about why they vote.
Quick recap
- A citizen is a member of a country with rights and responsibilities.
- Rights are freedoms and protections; responsibilities are duties to others.
- Every right comes with a responsibility.
- Laws protect rights, and everyone must follow them.
- In a democracy, citizens vote to choose their leaders.