Obligations of citizenship | Citizenship | High school civics | Khan Academy

TL;DR

U.S. citizens have several obligations, including obeying the law, serving on juries, paying taxes, attending school, and defending the Constitution and country when called upon.

Transcript

• [Instructor] In this video we're going to learn about the obligations of U.S. citizenship. Obligations are actions that citizens are required to fulfill, or they'll face punishment by law. Unlike the responsibilities of citizenship we talked about in the last video, which are voluntary actions taken by good citizens. The obligations of citizenshi... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ U.S. citizens have obligations that they must fulfill, unlike the voluntary responsibilities of citizenship.
• 👨‍🏫 Obligations include obeying the law, serving on juries, paying taxes, attending school, and defending the country and Constitution.
• ❓ Citizens must be loyal to the government and the system described in the Constitution.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Men, or people assigned male at birth, are required to register for selective service between the ages of 18 and 26.
• ❓ Violating these obligations can result in legal consequences.
• 👨‍🏫 Different states may have varying requirements for school attendance.
• 🧚 Serving on juries ensures a fair trial for all individuals accused of crimes.

Questions & Answers

Q: What does it mean for U.S. citizens to obey the law?

Obeying the law means following the rules and regulations that have been established by the government and elected representatives. Failure to do so can result in legal consequences, as obligations of citizenship are not optional.

Q: Why are U.S. citizens required to serve on juries?

U.S. citizens over the age of 18 are required to serve on juries to ensure a fair and unbiased trial for individuals who have been accused of a crime. It is a constitutional right for defendants to be judged by a jury of their peers.

Q: Why is paying taxes an obligation of citizenship?

Paying taxes is a civic duty that allows the government to provide essential services and maintain infrastructure. State, local, and federal laws require citizens to pay their taxes by a specific deadline, usually April 15th each year.

Q: Who is obligated to attend school in the United States?

Young citizens, typically from the ages of five or six to around 16 or 18, depending on state requirements, are obliged to attend school. Education is considered crucial for the development and preparation of future citizens.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• U.S. citizens must obey the law and abide by the rules set by the government.

• Citizens over the age of 18 are required to serve on juries to ensure a fair trial for those accused of crimes.

• Paying taxes on time is an obligation that all citizens must fulfill, according to state, local, and federal laws.

• Young citizens are obligated to attend school, with specific requirements varying from state to state.

• Citizens must be loyal to the Constitution and defend the country when called upon, either in combat or non-combat roles.