According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, citizenship is the relationship between an individual and a state (or country) and in turn is entitled to its protection. Citizenship implies the status of freedom with accompanying responsibilities. Dictionary.com defines citizenship as the state of being "vested" with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen. "Good citizenship" means properly fulfilling one's role as a citizen.
Theodore Roosevelt said, "The first requisite of a good citizen in this Republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight." As a young person moves into adulthood, they should do so with an understanding of the political, legal, and economic functions of the adult society, and they need to have the social and moral awareness to thrive in and contribute in that society.
Citizenship education is about enabling people to make their own decisions and to take responsibility for their own lives and their communities. It is not about trying to fit everyone into the same mold or even about creating "model" citizens. Our community needs active, informed, and responsible citizens; citizens who are willing and able to take responsibility for themselves and their communities and contribute to the political process. A healthy community depends upon people who are aware of their rights and responsibilities as citizens. People should be educated about the social and political world around them. They should have a certain amount of concern about the welfare of others in their city.
A good citizen has the ability to articulate his or her opinions and arguments. Our world needs youth who will be capable of having an influence on what goes on in their cities and who are active in their communities. Youth today must understand they do have a certain responsibility in how they act as citizens. All these capacities must be learned; they are not something a person knows by instinct. A certain amount of citizenship could be picked up through ordinary experiences in the home or at work, but those experiences are not sufficient to equip citizens for the sort of active role required of them in today's complex and diverse society. Citizenship is for all people, regardless of their ability or background, and continues throughout a person's life.
As citizenship becomes a reality in a young person's life, they begin to see there are issues a community must address and resolve. Young people learn that these issues have many characteristics. These citizenship issues are real -- they affect people's lives. They are topical -- current today. They can sometimes be sensitive -- even affecting people at a personal level, especially when family or friends are involved. Issues are often controversial -- people disagree and hold strong opinions about them. They can be ultimately moral -- relating to what people think is right or wrong, good or bad, important or unimportant in society.
Education about citizenship helps young people to develop self-confidence and successfully deal with significant life changes and challenges. It gives them a voice -- in their lives at their schools, in their communities, and in society at large. It enables them to make a positive contribution by developing the expertise and experience needed to claim their rights and understand their responsibilities. This experience helps in preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of the adult world and working life. Citizenship brings benefits to many areas of life. For schools, it helps to produce motivated and responsible learners who relate positively to each other, to staff, and to the surrounding community. For society, it helps to create an active and responsible citizen willing to participate in the life of the nation and world -- and play their part in the democratic process.
Members of Garland County 4-H are part of a premier youth development program conducted by the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service. As 4-H youth participate in club meetings, county competitions, community service events, and leadership activities, they gain knowledge and life skills that will help them to become positive, productive members of our community. Members learn about citizenship and their responsibility to the community. Through 4-H, young people develop skills to help them become leaders that will help shape their communities. Part of the Arkansas 4-H mission is to provide opportunities that will enable our youth to learn to contribute in a positive way. Joining 4-H is free! Call today to get your child involved!
4-H Club information
For more information about Garland County 4-H Club membership or program benefits, contact Linda Bates at the Garland County Cooperative Extension office located at 236 Woodbine in Hot Springs, call 501-623-6841, or email [email protected]. More information is available at http://www.uaex.edu/garland.
Master Gardenerinformation
If you have an interest in gardening, you may want to apply to become a Master Gardener. The Master Gardener training is coming up soon. If you want an application, you may call our office to have one emailed to you, or drop by and pick one up at the Cooperative Extension Office, 236 Woodbine in Hot Springs. You're welcome to attend the monthly Master Gardener meeting which is held on the third Thursday of each month at 1 p.m., the Elks Lodge, 132 Abbott Place. They're open to the public and guests are always welcome. Call the Extension office at 623-6841 or email Allen Bates at [email protected] for more information.
EHC information
Are you interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For more information on EHC, contact Alison Crane at 501-623-6841 or [email protected].
Society on 12/10/2018