Chapter 4 – Foundations of Ohio Government
4.11 Your Responsibilities & Obligations
While the state constitution guarantees you certain rights, certain responsibilities and obligations accompany your citizenship. You will recall we explored this notion of civic responsibility in Chapter 2. In this section, we will revisit those ideas as well as identifying the obligations that citizens must obey.
Let’s go back to Khan Academy content and explore our civic responsibilities and obligations in more detail.
Civic Responsibilities
These are activities that citizens “should do” to be good and productive members of society. Examples of responsibilities include voting (and being an informed voter), voicing concerns (e.g., emailing a city department about a broken streetlight), volunteering, and respecting the rights and beliefs of others.
YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tms0TgD_97g
Duration: 2:32
Obligations of Citizenship
These are actions that citizens are required to fulfill. If citizens do not fulfill these actions, they will face punishment by law or legal repercussions. Examples of obligations include obeying the law, serving on juries for citizens over 18, paying taxes, attending school for young citizens, and defending the Constitution and the country when called upon.
YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjPE5JTGjXE
Duration: 4:11
By fulfilling these duties, you contribute to the well-being of your community, state, and country.
Know the Difference
Let’s distinguish these three related terms. The key difference is between what citizens are protected or entitled to do, encouraged to do, and required to do.
Rights – Freedoms and protections that citizens are entitled to under the law.
Civic Responsibilities – Things citizens should do to contribute to their community and democracy, such as voting, staying informed, and participating in civic life.
Obligations of Citizenship – Things citizens are legally required to do, such as obeying laws, paying taxes, and serving on a jury when called.
