A citizen is a person who is granted full rights and responsibilities as a member of a nation or political community. Citizenship is usually acquired through birth (naturalized citizenship), marriage to a citizen, or through fulfilling specific requirements or qualifications set by the government in order to become naturalized.
A good citizen should be patriotic, and love their country as much as they would a family. It’s important to show that love by helping make the country a better place to live, and that includes voting, paying taxes, volunteering, and making sure not to break the law. Citizens should also support local businesses and artisans, which helps the economy and creates a sense of community pride.
In a recent survey, three-quarters of Americans said that voting is very important to their definition of what it means to be a good citizen. Other essential traits included knowing the Pledge of Allegiance, volunteering to help others, following what happens in their government and politics, and protesting when they believe that a policy or action is wrong. However, there was a lot of disagreement between Democrats and Republicans as to what was most important for good citizenship.
Generally, it is easiest to acquire citizenship in a nation through birth or by the nationality of your parents. If you are married to a citizen of that nation, then it is possible to obtain citizenship through naturalization by providing proof of the marriage, as well as showing that you have been living in the country for a period of time. Some countries offer residency visas to those who invest in their economies, which is another way to achieve citizenship.
Many people think that being a good citizen is all about political activism, but that is not necessarily the case. Many of the things that a person does to be a good citizen can have nothing to do with politics at all, but instead have everything to do with the core cultural values of their nation or community. For example, Native American colleges and universities are on the forefront of educating young adults about the importance of civic engagement, and ensuring that tribal youth have the opportunities to be active citizens. This is a critical part of preserving culture and ensuring that the next generation of leaders has the skills needed to lead their communities into the future.