Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens

Grade 3 · Social Studies · Study Guide

Learn what rights citizens have and what responsibilities come with living in a community.

Being a citizen — whether of a country, state, or even a classroom — comes with two important things: rights and responsibilities. A right is something you are free to do or have. A responsibility is something you are expected to do.

In the United States, citizens have many important rights. The First Amendment gives people freedom of speech (the right to say what you think), freedom of religion (the right to believe what you want), and freedom of the press (the right to share news and ideas). Other rights include the right to a fair trial and the right to vote when you turn 18.

But rights come with matching responsibilities. If you have the right to free speech, you also have the responsibility to use it thoughtfully and honestly. If you have the right to vote, you have the responsibility to learn about the candidates and issues. Citizens also have the responsibility to follow laws, pay taxes that fund roads and schools, serve on juries, and treat others fairly.

Even as a kid, you practice citizenship every day! Following classroom rules, being kind to classmates, and cleaning up shared spaces are all acts of good citizenship. When everyone takes their responsibilities seriously, rights are protected and communities become better places for everyone.

Key terms

right: A freedom or protection that citizens are guaranteed
responsibility: A duty that citizens are expected to carry out
citizen: An official member of a country who has specific rights and responsibilities
First Amendment: Part of the U.S. Constitution protecting free speech, religion, and press
vote: To make an official choice in an election

Flashcards

right: A freedom or protection guaranteed to citizens
responsibility: A duty that citizens are expected to carry out
citizen: An official member of a country with rights and responsibilities
First Amendment: Protects freedom of speech, religion, and press in the U.S.
vote: To make an official choice in an election
jury duty: The responsibility of citizens to serve on a jury in court trials

Practice questions

What is a right?
1. A duty citizens must perform
2. A freedom or protection guaranteed to citizens
3. A type of law
4. A government branch
Show answer
Answer: A freedom or protection guaranteed to citizens
Rights are freedoms that citizens are entitled to under the law, like the right to free speech or a fair trial.
Freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment.
Show answer
Answer: True
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and the right to peacefully assemble.
A duty that citizens are expected to carry out is called a ___.
Show answer
Answer: responsibility
Responsibilities are obligations citizens have — things expected of them in return for living in a community with rights and protections.
At what age can most U.S. citizens vote?
1. 16
2. 17
3. 18
4. 21
Show answer
Answer: 18
The 26th Amendment (1971) gave U.S. citizens the right to vote at age 18. Before that, the voting age was 21.
Rights and responsibilities only apply to adults, not children.
Show answer
Answer: False
Children are citizens too and practice rights and responsibilities every day — following school rules, being kind, and respecting shared spaces are all examples.

Fun facts

The U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights was added in 1791 — two years after the Constitution was written — specifically to protect individual freedoms.
You have to be 18 to vote in most U.S. elections, but some states allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they'll be 18 by the general election!

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