Rights, Responsibilities, and benefits of citizenship in the U.S.
1. In your opinion, what are rights, responsibilities, and benefits of citizenship in the U.S other than voting, jury duty, obedience to lawful authority, and private ownership of property?
1. In your opinion, what are rights, responsibilities, and benefits of citizenship in the U.S other than voting, jury duty, obedience to lawful authority, and private ownership of property?
Rights:
Citizens in the united states have many rights given to them in the constitution and constitutional amendments. They include:
- Freedom of speech
- Travel with a U.S. passport
- Run for federal office
- Become eligible for federal grants and scholarship
- Participate in the democratic process
- Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others
- Participate in the local community
As a citizen of The United States there are many perks and benefits. They include:
- U.S. citizens are able to sponsor immediate relatives (spouses, unmarried minor children and parents) for Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status without a long wait for a visa to become available. The may also sponsor these other relatives, subject to visa availability
- Possession of a United States passport.
- Ability to travel, and even live, abroad without fear of jeopardizing citizen status.
- Citizens may not be removed, or deported, from the United States. They are also able to re-enter the United States easily without being required to establish admissibility each time.
- Ability to vote and fully participate in the U.S. electoral process.
- Only U.S. citizens are able to hold elected public office.
- Eligibility for many government-related jobs is restricted to citizens only.
- Eligibility for public benefits from which non-citizens may be excluded.
- Entitlement to substantial deductions on U.S. estate tax.
- Citizens are always eligible for Social Security and Medicare benefits, which many non-citizens may not be.
- Protection under the law and constitution
2. How have these evolved over time? For instance, what rights do we have now that was non-existent previously?
Since the constitution and constitutional amendments were put into place when the U.S. was founded, citizens have had all the right they have now.However, many of the rights we practice under may not have been existent in the past. This is because of constitutional interpretation. As the country grows and diversifies, many aspects of its constitution are challenged and broadened in court. Citizens today view freedom of speech in a totally different light than citizens 75 years ago, for example. As the country grows and advances we will continue to explore the rights given to us by our founding fathers.
Since the constitution and constitutional amendments were put into place when the U.S. was founded, citizens have had all the right they have now.However, many of the rights we practice under may not have been existent in the past. This is because of constitutional interpretation. As the country grows and diversifies, many aspects of its constitution are challenged and broadened in court. Citizens today view freedom of speech in a totally different light than citizens 75 years ago, for example. As the country grows and advances we will continue to explore the rights given to us by our founding fathers.
3.Describe the struggles and challenges different minority groups have had to undergo in order to gain equal rights.
African Americans:
African Americans started out as slaves in the U.S. Eventually after the Civil War they gained their freedom, but then had to face segregation. They were not allowed to mix with whites and were often given less than equal facilities. Through peaceful protest by leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, African Americans were able to win equal rights. Though they have come a long way, there is still some prejudice against them.
Women:
Women, at the time when America was founded, were seen as physically and intellectually inferior to men. They were expected to stay home and take care of the children. Eventually, women began establishing themselves as equals through major events throughout history. They include The Seneca Falls Convention, increased women employment during the world wars, and the Suffrage Movement. Though they have also come a long way, they are still not equal to men especially when it comes to income gaps.
African Americans:
African Americans started out as slaves in the U.S. Eventually after the Civil War they gained their freedom, but then had to face segregation. They were not allowed to mix with whites and were often given less than equal facilities. Through peaceful protest by leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, African Americans were able to win equal rights. Though they have come a long way, there is still some prejudice against them.
Women:
Women, at the time when America was founded, were seen as physically and intellectually inferior to men. They were expected to stay home and take care of the children. Eventually, women began establishing themselves as equals through major events throughout history. They include The Seneca Falls Convention, increased women employment during the world wars, and the Suffrage Movement. Though they have also come a long way, they are still not equal to men especially when it comes to income gaps.
4.What other challenges do you feel exist for minority groups? What do you propose should be done?
I feel that challenges exist mostly in education and employment for minorities. Unfortunately, prejudice is something that will always exist in the hearts of people, but things must be done to counteract the effects of prejudice. Women, for example, should make as much money as a man makes for the same labor. Education should be promoted throughout minorities. Things like Alcohol addictions, drug addictions, sanitation problems, adult and child obesity, diabetes, and teenage pregnancies that are more prevalent in minorities can be counteracted through education. And this is why I support affirmative action. I believe that the more educated the population gets, the better off the entire country will be.
I feel that challenges exist mostly in education and employment for minorities. Unfortunately, prejudice is something that will always exist in the hearts of people, but things must be done to counteract the effects of prejudice. Women, for example, should make as much money as a man makes for the same labor. Education should be promoted throughout minorities. Things like Alcohol addictions, drug addictions, sanitation problems, adult and child obesity, diabetes, and teenage pregnancies that are more prevalent in minorities can be counteracted through education. And this is why I support affirmative action. I believe that the more educated the population gets, the better off the entire country will be.
