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To be an American is to be somebody who thrives for freedom, fairness, and who completes their civic duties and responsibilities.

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Jonathan Barrios

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Civic duties are actions that laws require you to do as a U.S. citizen. Civic responsibilities are steps you voluntarily take to support your community. Civic engagement takes those responsibilities further by working on problems that affect everyone in the community.

Your responsibilities and duties as a citizen also come with certain benefits and rights.

10 ways to be a responsible U.S. citizen

1. Show your loyalty to the USA

You will have taken the Oath of Allegiance if you are a newly naturalized citizen. It is a civic duty to be loyal to the USA and give up loyalty to any other country.

U.S. citizens can have citizenship in two countries at the same time. Some countries do not allow dual citizenship with the USA. You may have to give up your citizenship if your country of nationality does not allow dual citizenship.

2. Follow U.S. laws

It is important to respect and follow all laws in the United States, whether they are local rules, state laws, or federal nationwide laws. This civic duty includes everything from driving safely to paying your taxes.

Following U.S. laws helps our community work together to ensure everyone's safety and well-being. See this list of important U.S. laws you should know.

3. Vote in elections

Voting is one of the most important rights and responsibilities that citizens have. Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections. In most states and local elections, you also have to be a citizen to vote.

You are not required to vote but it is highly encouraged. Voting for government officials and laws is a way to voice your opinions about issues you care about.

Read a guide to voting for immigrants.

4. Register for the Selective Service

All men living in the USA, who are between 18 and 25, are required by law to register with the Selective Service System. This registration is not a commitment to serve in the military but a way to make sure you are counted in case of an emergency and there is a national draft.

Registering is important for eligibility for certain government benefits and programs. U.S. citizens must register within a month of turning 18. Male immigrants 18 to 25 must register within 30 days of arriving in the United States.

You can also choose to serve in the military but it is not required.

5. Serve on a jury

If you are a U.S. citizen 18 or older, you may be called to do jury duty. A jury is a group of people who look at facts and make decisions in a court case. Only U.S. citizens can be part of a jury.

If you are chosen for jury duty, you must go to your local court. The judge and lawyer will ask you questions to see if you are a good fit for the jury. Depending on the case, you may need to commit to being on the jury for a specific amount of time.

Get more information about jury service.

6. Pay taxes

Everyone must pay federal, state, and local taxes. This is an important civic duty of U.S. citizens and others living in the USA. U.S. citizens have to pay taxes even when living outside the USA. Taxes help pay for government programs, including schools, hospitals, and public benefits.

Find out more about paying income taxes.

7. Get involved in your community

Being an active participant in your community is rewarding and everyone benefits from it. You can join neighborhood groups, go to local events, and volunteer for causes you care about.

You can help those in need of support and build a safer, thriving community. Finding ways to help your community is a good way to make friends and feel connected.

Read about ways to give back to your community.

8. Stay informed

Knowledge is power. Stay informed about what is happening in your community and country by reading news from reliable sources, attending community meetings, and discussing issues with friends and family. Understanding the issues helps you make better decisions as a citizen.

9. Embrace diversity

Respecting different beliefs, opinions, and lifestyles makes our community stronger. It is important everyone feels included. Understanding and celebrating our differences is key to building a better society.

Learn more about diversity.

10. Run for office or support a candidate

Taking an active role in politics is a powerful form of civic engagement. If you are passionate about making a difference, consider running for a local office or supporting a candidate who represents your values and interests. Getting involved in politics is a way to effect change in your community and beyond.
The information on this page comes from USCIS and other trusted sources. We aim to offer easy to understand information that is updated regularly. This information is not legal advice.

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Civic responsibilities of U.S. Citizenship | USAHello

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U.S. citizenship comes with different responsibilities and duties. Learn what is required of you and how to be a responsible citizen.

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Focused on personal responsibility, this song encourages listeners to reflect on how their actions contribute to broader societal change, a core aspect of civic duty. (Christopher Martinez)

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Our image of what it means to be an American

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Jeronimo Garcia

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This philosophy focuses on the practical order that comes from a worldly awareness of tian, an impersonal absolute principle. Confucianism also emphasizes inner virtue, morality, and respect for the community.

Noah

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Confucianism is one of the most influential religious philosophies in the history of China, and it has existed for over 2,500 years. It is concerned with inner virtue, morality, and respect for the community and its values.

Subjects

Religion, Social Studies, Ancient Civilizations

Image

Confucian Philosopher Mencius

Confucianism is an ancient Chinese belief system, which focuses on the importance of personal ethics and morality. Whether it is only or a philosophy or also a religion is debated.

Photograph by Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images/Getty Images, taken from Myths and Legends of China

Confucianism is a philosophy and belief system from ancient China, which laid the foundation for much of Chinese culture. Confucius was a philosopher and teacher who lived from 551 to 479 B.C.E. His thoughts on ethics, good behavior, and moral character were written down by his disciples in several books, the most important being the Lunyu. Confucianism believes in ancestor worship and human-centered virtues for living a peaceful life. The golden rule of Confucianism is "Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you."

There is debate over if Confucianism is a religion. Confucianism is best understood as an ethical guide to life and living with strong character. Yet, Confucianism also began as a revival of an earlier religious tradition. There are no Confucian gods, and Confucius himself is worshipped as a spirit rather than a god. However, there are temples of Confucianism, which are places where important community and civic rituals happen. This debate remains unresolved and many people refer to Confucianism as both a religion and a philosophy.

The main idea of Confucianism is the importance of having a good moral character, which can then affect the world around that person through the idea of "cosmic harmony." If the emperor has moral perfection, his rule will be peaceful and benevolent. Natural disasters and conflict are the result of straying from the ancient teachings. This moral character is achieved through the virtue of ren, or "humanity," which leads to more virtuous behaviours, such as respect, altruism, and humility. Confucius believed in the importance of education in order to create this virtuous character. He thought that people are essentially good yet may have strayed from the appropriate forms of conduct. Rituals in Confucianism were designed to bring about this respectful attitude and create a sense of community within a group.

The idea of "filial piety," or devotion to family, is key to Confucius thought. This devotion can take the form of ancestor worship, submission to parental authority, or the use of family metaphors, such as "son of heaven," to describe the emperor and his government. The family was the most important group for Confucian ethics, and devotion to family could only strengthen the society surrounding it.

While Confucius gave his name to Confucianism, he was not the first person to discuss many of the important concepts in Confucianism. Rather, he can be understood as someone concerned with the preservation of traditional Chinese knowledge from earlier thinkers. After Confucius' death, several of his disciples compiled his wisdom and carried on his work. The most famous of these disciples were Mencius and Xunzi, both of whom developed Confucian thought further.

Confucianism remains one of the most influential philosophies in China. During the Han Dynasty, emperor Wu Di (reigned 141-87 B.C.E.) made Confucianism the official state ideology. During this time, Confucius schools were established to teach Confucian ethics. Confucianism existed alongside Buddhism and Taoism for several centuries as one of the most important Chinese religions. In the Song Dynasty (960-1279 C.E.) the influence from Buddhism and Taoism brought about "Neo-Confucianism," which combined ideas from all three religions. However, in the Qing dynasty (1644-1912 C.E.), many scholars looked for a return to the older ideas of Confucianism, prompting a Confucian revival.

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March 6, 2024

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Confucianism is one of the most influential religious philosophies in the history of China, and it has existed for over 2,500 years. It is concerned with inner virtue, morality, and respect for the community and its values.

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Examples of civic duty in the United States include attending school, serving on juries when summoned, and paying taxes. Voting, while important, is considered a civic responsibility rather than a duty because it is not mandatory.

-Civic Duty & Responsibility

Mona Cazares