Chapter 1 You: Growing and Changing
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1-8
Your responsibilities as
a teen include doing your best
in school.
Many people are ready to claim credit for successes, but if mistakes
are made they try to disclaim any responsibility. Making mistakes
is normal. By denying your mistakes, you give the impression that
you believe you are above making mistakes. This is unrealistic and
irresponsible.
As a teen today, you have many opportunities to become a
responsible adult. Take the opportunity to increase your freedom by
behaving like one. When you do make a mistake, accept responsibility,
resolve to do better next time, and try to make amends. Fulfi ll your
responsibilities in your family, school, and community, 1-8.
What Does It Mean to Be a Good Citizen?
An important part of being a responsible adult is being a good
citizen. A citizen is a person who owes loyalty to a government and, in
return, is entitled to the protection of the government. In our country,
citizenship (the status of being a citizen) gives you both rights and
responsibilities. By law, citizens are entitled to the following:
•
the right to vote
•
the right to equal treatment under the law
•
freedom of speech, press, assembly, and
other privileges listed in the Bill of
Rights (the fi rst ten amendments to
the Constitution)
•
government services at various
levels, from municipal to national
(for example, police protection
and military defense)
Along with these rights, citizens
have responsibilities. These include
the following:
•
obeying laws to maintain a
well-ordered society
•
paying taxes to support government
services
•
staying informed on public affairs
•
voting