essay about rights and responsibilities

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

Essay on Human Rights: Samples in 500 and 1500

• Updated on  
• Dec 9, 2023

Essay writing is an integral part of the school curriculum and various academic and competitive exams like IELTS , TOEFL , SAT , UPSC , etc. It is designed to test your command of the English language and how well you can gather your thoughts and present them in a structure with a flow. To master your ability to write an essay, you must read as much as possible and practise on any given topic. This blog brings you a detailed guide on how to write an essay on Human Rights , with useful essay samples on Human rights.

This Blog Includes:

The basic human rights, 200 words essay on human rights, 500 words essay on human rights, 500+ words essay on human rights in india, 1500 words essay on human rights, importance of human rights, essay on human rights pdf.

Also Read: List of Human Rights Courses

Also Read: MSc Human Rights

Also Read: 1-Minute Speech on Human Rights for Students

What are Human Rights

Human rights mark everyone as free and equal, irrespective of age, gender, caste, creed, religion and nationality. The United Nations adopted human rights in light of the atrocities people faced during the Second World War. On the 10th of December 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Its adoption led to the recognition of human rights as the foundation for freedom, justice and peace for every individual. Although it’s not legally binding, most nations have incorporated these human rights into their constitutions and domestic legal frameworks. Human rights safeguard us from discrimination and guarantee that our most basic needs are protected.

Did you know that the 10th of December is celebrated as Human Rights Day ?

Before we move on to the essays on human rights, let’s check out the basics of what they are.

Also Read: What are Human Rights?

Also Read: 7 Impactful Human Rights Movies Everyone Must Watch!

Here is a 200-word short sample essay on basic Human Rights.

Human rights are a set of rights given to every human being regardless of their gender, caste, creed, religion, nation, location or economic status. These are said to be moral principles that illustrate certain standards of human behaviour. Protected by law , these rights are applicable everywhere and at any time. Basic human rights include the right to life, right to a fair trial, right to remedy by a competent tribunal, right to liberty and personal security, right to own property, right to education, right of peaceful assembly and association, right to marriage and family, right to nationality and freedom to change it, freedom of speech, freedom from discrimination, freedom from slavery, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of movement, right of opinion and information, right to adequate living standard and freedom from interference with privacy, family, home and correspondence.

Also Read: Law Courses

Check out this 500-word long essay on Human Rights.

Every person has dignity and value. One of the ways that we recognise the fundamental worth of every person is by acknowledging and respecting their human rights. Human rights are a set of principles concerned with equality and fairness. They recognise our freedom to make choices about our lives and develop our potential as human beings. They are about living a life free from fear, harassment or discrimination.

Human rights can broadly be defined as the basic rights that people worldwide have agreed are essential. These include the right to life, the right to a fair trial, freedom from torture and other cruel and inhuman treatment, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to health, education and an adequate standard of living. These human rights are the same for all people everywhere – men and women, young and old, rich and poor, regardless of our background, where we live, what we think or believe. This basic property is what makes human rights’ universal’.

Human rights connect us all through a shared set of rights and responsibilities. People’s ability to enjoy their human rights depends on other people respecting those rights. This means that human rights involve responsibility and duties towards other people and the community. Individuals have a responsibility to ensure that they exercise their rights with consideration for the rights of others. For example, when someone uses their right to freedom of speech, they should do so without interfering with someone else’s right to privacy.

Governments have a particular responsibility to ensure that people can enjoy their rights. They must establish and maintain laws and services that enable people to enjoy a life in which their rights are respected and protected. For example, the right to education says that everyone is entitled to a good education. Therefore, governments must provide good quality education facilities and services to their people. If the government fails to respect or protect their basic human rights, people can take it into account.

Values of tolerance, equality and respect can help reduce friction within society. Putting human rights ideas into practice can help us create the kind of society we want to live in. There has been tremendous growth in how we think about and apply human rights ideas in recent decades. This growth has had many positive results – knowledge about human rights can empower individuals and offer solutions for specific problems.

Human rights are an important part of how people interact with others at all levels of society – in the family, the community, school, workplace, politics and international relations. Therefore, people everywhere must strive to understand what human rights are. When people better understand human rights, it is easier for them to promote justice and the well-being of society. 

Also Read: Important Articles in Indian Constitution

Here is a human rights essay focused on India.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. It has been rightly proclaimed in the American Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Created with certain unalienable rights….” Similarly, the Indian Constitution has ensured and enshrined Fundamental rights for all citizens irrespective of caste, creed, religion, colour, sex or nationality. These basic rights, commonly known as human rights, are recognised the world over as basic rights with which every individual is born.

In recognition of human rights, “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was made on the 10th of December, 1948. This declaration is the basic instrument of human rights. Even though this declaration has no legal bindings and authority, it forms the basis of all laws on human rights. The necessity of formulating laws to protect human rights is now being felt all over the world. According to social thinkers, the issue of human rights became very important after World War II concluded. It is important for social stability both at the national and international levels. Wherever there is a breach of human rights, there is conflict at one level or the other.

Given the increasing importance of the subject, it becomes necessary that educational institutions recognise the subject of human rights as an independent discipline. The course contents and curriculum of the discipline of human rights may vary according to the nature and circumstances of a particular institution. Still, generally, it should include the rights of a child, rights of minorities, rights of the needy and the disabled, right to live, convention on women, trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation etc.

Since the formation of the United Nations , the promotion and protection of human rights have been its main focus. The United Nations has created a wide range of mechanisms for monitoring human rights violations. The conventional mechanisms include treaties and organisations, U.N. special reporters, representatives and experts and working groups. Asian countries like China argue in favour of collective rights. According to Chinese thinkers, European countries lay stress upon individual rights and values while Asian countries esteem collective rights and obligations to the family and society as a whole.

With the freedom movement the world over after World War II, the end of colonisation also ended the policy of apartheid and thereby the most aggressive violation of human rights. With the spread of education, women are asserting their rights. Women’s movements play an important role in spreading the message of human rights. They are fighting for their rights and supporting the struggle for human rights of other weaker and deprived sections like bonded labour, child labour, landless labour, unemployed persons, Dalits and elderly people.

Unfortunately, violation of human rights continues in most parts of the world. Ethnic cleansing and genocide can still be seen in several parts of the world. Large sections of the world population are deprived of the necessities of life i.e. food, shelter and security of life. Right to minimum basic needs viz. Work, health care, education and shelter are denied to them. These deprivations amount to the negation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Also Read: Human Rights Courses

Check out this detailed 1500-word essay on human rights.

The human right to live and exist, the right to equality, including equality before the law, non-discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, and equality of opportunity in matters of employment, the right to freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, the right to practice any profession or occupation, the right against exploitation, prohibiting all forms of forced labour, child labour and trafficking in human beings, the right to freedom of conscience, practice and propagation of religion and the right to legal remedies for enforcement of the above are basic human rights. These rights and freedoms are the very foundations of democracy.

Obviously, in a democracy, the people enjoy the maximum number of freedoms and rights. Besides these are political rights, which include the right to contest an election and vote freely for a candidate of one’s choice. Human rights are a benchmark of a developed and civilised society. But rights cannot exist in a vacuum. They have their corresponding duties. Rights and duties are the two aspects of the same coin.

Liberty never means license. Rights presuppose the rule of law, where everyone in the society follows a code of conduct and behaviour for the good of all. It is the sense of duty and tolerance that gives meaning to rights. Rights have their basis in the ‘live and let live’ principle. For example, my right to speech and expression involves my duty to allow others to enjoy the same freedom of speech and expression. Rights and duties are inextricably interlinked and interdependent. A perfect balance is to be maintained between the two. Whenever there is an imbalance, there is chaos.

A sense of tolerance, propriety and adjustment is a must to enjoy rights and freedom. Human life sans basic freedom and rights is meaningless. Freedom is the most precious possession without which life would become intolerable, a mere abject and slavish existence. In this context, Milton’s famous and oft-quoted lines from his Paradise Lost come to mind: “To reign is worth ambition though in hell/Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.”

However, liberty cannot survive without its corresponding obligations and duties. An individual is a part of society in which he enjoys certain rights and freedom only because of the fulfilment of certain duties and obligations towards others. Thus, freedom is based on mutual respect’s rights. A fine balance must be maintained between the two, or there will be anarchy and bloodshed. Therefore, human rights can best be preserved and protected in a society steeped in morality, discipline and social order.

Violation of human rights is most common in totalitarian and despotic states. In the theocratic states, there is much persecution, and violation in the name of religion and the minorities suffer the most. Even in democracies, there is widespread violation and infringement of human rights and freedom. The women, children and the weaker sections of society are victims of these transgressions and violence.

The U.N. Commission on Human Rights’ main concern is to protect and promote human rights and freedom in the world’s nations. In its various sessions held from time to time in Geneva, it adopts various measures to encourage worldwide observations of these basic human rights and freedom. It calls on its member states to furnish information regarding measures that comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights whenever there is a complaint of a violation of these rights. In addition, it reviews human rights situations in various countries and initiates remedial measures when required.

The U.N. Commission was much concerned and dismayed at the apartheid being practised in South Africa till recently. The Secretary-General then declared, “The United Nations cannot tolerate apartheid. It is a legalised system of racial discrimination, violating the most basic human rights in South Africa. It contradicts the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter. That is why over the last forty years, my predecessors and I have urged the Government of South Africa to dismantle it.”

Now, although apartheid is no longer practised in that country, other forms of apartheid are being blatantly practised worldwide. For example, sex apartheid is most rampant. Women are subject to abuse and exploitation. They are not treated equally and get less pay than their male counterparts for the same jobs. In employment, promotions, possession of property etc., they are most discriminated against. Similarly, the rights of children are not observed properly. They are forced to work hard in very dangerous situations, sexually assaulted and exploited, sold and bonded for labour.

The Commission found that religious persecution, torture, summary executions without judicial trials, intolerance, slavery-like practices, kidnapping, political disappearance, etc., are being practised even in the so-called advanced countries and societies. The continued acts of extreme violence, terrorism and extremism in various parts of the world like Pakistan, India, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Somalia, Algeria, Lebanon, Chile, China, and Myanmar, etc., by the governments, terrorists, religious fundamentalists, and mafia outfits, etc., is a matter of grave concern for the entire human race.

Violation of freedom and rights by terrorist groups backed by states is one of the most difficult problems society faces. For example, Pakistan has been openly collaborating with various terrorist groups, indulging in extreme violence in India and other countries. In this regard the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva adopted a significant resolution, which was co-sponsored by India, focusing on gross violation of human rights perpetrated by state-backed terrorist groups.

The resolution expressed its solidarity with the victims of terrorism and proposed that a U.N. Fund for victims of terrorism be established soon. The Indian delegation recalled that according to the Vienna Declaration, terrorism is nothing but the destruction of human rights. It shows total disregard for the lives of innocent men, women and children. The delegation further argued that terrorism cannot be treated as a mere crime because it is systematic and widespread in its killing of civilians.

Violation of human rights, whether by states, terrorists, separatist groups, armed fundamentalists or extremists, is condemnable. Regardless of the motivation, such acts should be condemned categorically in all forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomever they are committed, as acts of aggression aimed at destroying human rights, fundamental freedom and democracy. The Indian delegation also underlined concerns about the growing connection between terrorist groups and the consequent commission of serious crimes. These include rape, torture, arson, looting, murder, kidnappings, blasts, and extortion, etc.

Violation of human rights and freedom gives rise to alienation, dissatisfaction, frustration and acts of terrorism. Governments run by ambitious and self-seeking people often use repressive measures and find violence and terror an effective means of control. However, state terrorism, violence, and human freedom transgressions are very dangerous strategies. This has been the background of all revolutions in the world. Whenever there is systematic and widespread state persecution and violation of human rights, rebellion and revolution have taken place. The French, American, Russian and Chinese Revolutions are glowing examples of human history.

The first war of India’s Independence in 1857 resulted from long and systematic oppression of the Indian masses. The rapidly increasing discontent, frustration and alienation with British rule gave rise to strong national feelings and demand for political privileges and rights. Ultimately the Indian people, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, made the British leave India, setting the country free and independent.

Human rights and freedom ought to be preserved at all costs. Their curtailment degrades human life. The political needs of a country may reshape Human rights, but they should not be completely distorted. Tyranny, regimentation, etc., are inimical of humanity and should be resisted effectively and united. The sanctity of human values, freedom and rights must be preserved and protected. Human Rights Commissions should be established in all countries to take care of human freedom and rights. In cases of violation of human rights, affected individuals should be properly compensated, and it should be ensured that these do not take place in future.

These commissions can become effective instruments in percolating the sensitivity to human rights down to the lowest levels of governments and administrations. The formation of the National Human Rights Commission in October 1993 in India is commendable and should be followed by other countries.

Also Read: Law Courses in India

Human rights are of utmost importance to seek basic equality and human dignity. Human rights ensure that the basic needs of every human are met. They protect vulnerable groups from discrimination and abuse, allow people to stand up for themselves, and follow any religion without fear and give them the freedom to express their thoughts freely. In addition, they grant people access to basic education and equal work opportunities. Thus implementing these rights is crucial to ensure freedom, peace and safety.

Human Rights Day is annually celebrated on the 10th of December.

Human Rights Day is celebrated to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UNGA in 1948.

Some of the common Human Rights are the right to life and liberty, freedom of opinion and expression, freedom from slavery and torture and the right to work and education.

We hope our sample essays on Human Rights have given you some great ideas. For more information on such interesting blogs, visit our essay writing page and follow Leverage Edu .

Sonal is a creative, enthusiastic writer and editor who has worked extensively for the Study Abroad domain. She splits her time between shooting fun insta reels and learning new tools for content marketing. If she is missing from her desk, you can find her with a group of people cracking silly jokes or petting neighbourhood dogs.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

Leaving already?

8 Universities with higher ROI than IITs and IIMs

Grab this one-time opportunity to download this ebook

Connect With Us

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

September 2024

January 2025

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Rights and Responsibilities

What many today might call “rights,” such as federally-guaranteed Social Security payments, disability payments, food stamps, education, a minimum wage, and health care, the Founders would not have seen as rights. Even today, these benefits are more rightly called “entitlements.” This difference does not mean that entitlements are better or worse, but calling them “rights” can be dangerous.

• If entitlements are understood as rights, then government cannot unjustly deprive you of them.
• If you cannot be justly deprived of them, then they must be provided to you by government (whose job it is to protect rights).
• If they must be provided to you by government, then it must be at public expense, as government has no money except that which it takes from the people through taxes.
• If entitlements must be provided through taxation, then they must be provided to certain people at the expense of certain others.

The questions become: Which entitlements are “rights”? Who, exactly, is entitled to them? Who pays for them?

Certain rights were self-evident, as Thomas Jefferson put it. This means that the rights we have by nature today are the same as they were in 1776, as they were in 1492, 1215, 1066, and so on.

But how do we know which entitlements should be considered rights? These things, because they depend on time and place, can change over time. So what is the best way to figure out what they are? Majority vote? The decision of elected leaders? The rulings of judges? How long should those decisions or rulings stand?

And while inalienable rights are negative (meaning they require no one else to act on our behalf), the same cannot be said for positive “rights.” They do require others to work or pay money on our behalf. The second question then becomes: Who pays for our entitlements? There is no such thing as a “free lunch,” goes the old saying. And it is true. “Free” things provided by government are not free. Rather, they are paid for in ways that are not immediately evident — through taxation, or higher costs elsewhere.

While many people love their jobs, work is called work because it is, well, work. We are obliged to work even when we don’t want to. It is not leisure; it is not family time; it is not play. Most people would rather do things they enjoy, at their own pace and on their own time, than go to work for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 50 weeks a year. But most people do—and often for longer hours than that—because it brings them a standard of living that they appreciate. But if incentives are such that it is easier to not work and be provided for by others, who will be left working after time goes by?

A minimum wage, parental leave, and other entitlements must be paid for by employers. Money and a large bureaucracy are needed to administer Social Security. Teachers, books, and other resources are needed to provide education, and so on. If medical care is a right, how should that right be balanced against the rights of people who chose to work as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical researchers, etc.? If you cannot be deprived of your right to health care, does the government have power to conscript doctors and nurses? To compel drug companies to do research? To compel you to do those things that help you stay healthy, like sleeping for 7 or 8 hours a day, eating a healthy diet in moderation, and exercise?

In addition to the shift from rights to entitlements, another evolution in the tradition of rights has to do with individual responsibility. Part of living in a society with self-government on a societal level is self-government on an individual level.

Does having the right to do something mean you should do it? If we are free and responsible for ourselves, this is a question we must constantly be asking. True freedom always comes with a responsibility to accept and deal with the consequences of our freely-chosen actions. This means, sometimes, the freedom to fail.

News providers have always been biased, but the number of choices of media outlets citizens have now is unprecedented in history. Being able to discriminate among them is key for responsible citizenship.

One of the greatest individual responsibilities of citizens in a free society is that of being well-informed. In the Internet age, information abounds. Blogs, social media, and crowd-sourced sites like Wikipedia have blurred the lines between traditionally-vetted trustworthy sources and unreliable ones. News providers have always been biased, but the number of choices of media outlets citizens have now is unprecedented in history. Being able to discriminate among them is key for responsible citizenship.

Not only that, but the information we receive even when performing what we think are neutral internet searches are likely to bring us back biased information. For example, Google search results are customized to return links that resemble the types of searches or sources you have performed or clicked on in the past. Two people searching for the exact same terms will receive different search results based on the kinds of links they have clicked in the past. Their world views may be shaped accordingly. This filtering and customization of “news” that fits our pre-conceived ideas of the world may become more and more like an echo chamber as responsive technologies develop. The responsibility, as always, is on citizens to seek out trustworthy news sources and remain vigilant about the actions of government.

This vigilance on the part of citizens is one reason why free governments are always partisan. Freedom is “messy.” People will disagree, they will argue, they will jockey for position on cable news and in the halls of government. Rather than the government providing us with official views through state media, as is the case in communist and other totalitarian regimes, there will be arguing, there will be debate, and this will all be essential. Debate—whether it is called “bickering,” “gridlock” or another pejorative term by those who would rather laws be more swiftly enacted—is a sign of a healthy democratic republic, and not something to be avoided.

Indeed, the responsibilities of citizenship in a free society are numerous and important.

It may seem, in fact, like a bunch of work. It may be tempting to believe we can be taken care of, that we can let government provide for us at the expense of others, keep us safe at the price of our privacy, and so on. It’s not unlike being a kid at home, where you have much less responsibility, but also much less privacy and freedom.

Dependence and freedom are not synonyms; they are more like opposites. When we live under our parents’ roof, we have to live under their rules. We are dependent on them. They pay for our food, clothing, shelter, and other needs and wants, and they can correspondingly limit our rights. As we get older, they tell us less what to eat, what to do, where to go, etc., and leave those decisions to us. With a car comes a car payment, gas, and insurance costs. With an apartment comes rent. And so on. With increasing age comes increasing freedom, and with that freedom necessarily comes increasing responsibility. That responsibility includes accepting the consequences of our actions, taking care of our families, our neighbors, and our communities.

And it would be naïve—as well as proven wrong by all of human history—to think that increasing dependence on entitlements will not come at a cost to freedom.

“No people will tamely surrender their Liberties, nor can any be easily subdued, when knowledge is diffused and virtue is preserved. On the Contrary, when People are universally ignorant, and debauched in their Manners, they will sink under their own weight without the Aid of foreign Invaders” (Samuel Adams to James Warren, November 4, 1775).

Related Content

In order to enjoy our tradition of rights in the United States, we must also fulfill responsibilities to assure that all can benefit from the liberty and equality on which the United States was founded. Many of the rights we can exercise have concrete responsibilities of actions we must take to assure the common good. This lesson will examine the differences between rights and responsibilities, and how both relate to the concept of the common good.

• THE ETHICS INSTITUTE
• Putting ethics at the centre of everyday life.
• LIVING OUR ETHICS
• ANNUAL REPORTS
• Articles, podcasts, videos, research & courses tackling the issues that matter.
• WHAT IS ETHICS?
• Events and interactive experiences exploring ethics of being human.
• UPCOMING EVENTS
• PAST EVENTS
• PAST SPEAKERS
• FESTIVAL OF DANGEROUS IDEAS
• Counselling and bespoke consulting programs to help you make better decisions and navigate complexity.
• CONSULTING & LEADERSHIP
• Our work is only made possible because of you. Join us!
• BECOME A MEMBER
• SUPPORT OUR WORK
• THE ETHICS ALLIANCE
• BANKING + FINANCIAL SERVICES OATH
• RESIDENCY PROGRAM
• YOUNG WRITERS’ COMPETITION
• YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
• ENGAGE AN EXPERT
• MEDIA CENTRE
• HIRE OUR SPACE

Ethics Explainer: Rights and Responsibilities

Explainer politics + human rights, by the ethics centre 2 jun 2017, when you have a right either to do or not do something, it means you are entitled to do it or not..

Rights are always about relationships. If you were the only person in existence, rights wouldn’t be relevant at all. This is why rights always correspond to responsibilities. My rights will limit the ways you can and can’t behave towards me.

Legal philosopher Wesley Hohfeld distinguished between two sets of rights and responsibilities. First, there are claims and duties. Your right to life is attached to everyone else’s duty not to kill you. You can’t have one without the other.

Second, there are liberties and no-claims. If I’m at liberty to raise my children as I see fit it’s because there’s no duty stopping me – nobody can make a claim to influence my actions here. If we have no claim over other people’s liberties, our only duty is not to interfere with their behaviour.

But your liberty disappears as soon as someone has a claim against you. For example, you’re at liberty to move freely until someone else has a claim to private property. Then you have a duty not to trespass on their land.

It’s useful to add into the mix the distinction between positive and negative rights. If you have a positive right, it creates a duty for someone to  give  you something – like an education. If you have a negative right, it means others have a duty not to treat you in some way – like assaulting you.

All this might seem like tedious academic stuff but it has real world consequences. If there’s a positive right to free speech, people need to be given opportunities to speak out. For example, they might need access to a radio program so they can be heard.

By contrast, if it’s a negative claim right, nobody can censor anyone else’s speech. And if  free speech  is a liberty, your right to use it is subject to the claims of other. So if other people claim the right not to be offended, for example, you may not be able to speak up.

There are a few reasons why rights are a useful concept in  ethics .

First, they are easy to enforce through legal systems. Once we know what rights and duties people have, we can enshrine them in law.

Second, rights and duties protect what we see as most important when we can’t trust everyone will act well all the time. In our imperfect world, rights provide a strong language to influence people’s behaviour.

Finally, rights capture the central ethical concepts of  dignity  and respect for persons. As the philosopher Joel Feinberg writes:

Having rights enables us to “stand up like men,” to look others in the eye, and to feel in some fundamental way the equal of anyone. To think of oneself as the holder of rights is not to be unduly but properly proud, to have that minimal self-respect that is necessary to be worthy of the love and esteem of others.

Indeed, respect for persons […] may simply be respect for their rights, so that there cannot be the one without the other; and what is called “human dignity” may simply by the recognizable capacity to assert claims.

Feinberg suggests rights are a manifestation of who we are as human beings. They reflect our dignity,  autonomy  and our equal ethical value. There are other ways to give voice to these things, but in highly individualistic cultures, what philosophers call “rights talk” resonates for two reasons: individual freedom and equality.

Ethics in your inbox.

Get the latest inspiration, intelligence, events & more.

• Everyday Ethics Monthly
• Professional Ethics Quarterly

By signing up you agree to our privacy policy

You might be interested in…

Opinion + Analysis Politics + Human Rights, Relationships, Society + Culture

The sticky ethics of protests in a pandemic

Opinion + Analysis Climate + Environment, Politics + Human Rights

Increase or reduce immigration? Recommended reads

Stop giving air to bullies for clicks.

Opinion + Analysis Climate + Environment, Politics + Human Rights, Relationships, Society + Culture

The youth are rising. Will we listen?

BY The Ethics Centre

The ethics centre is a not-for-profit organisation developing innovative programs, services and experiences, designed to bring ethics to the centre of professional and personal life..

• Utility Menu

Reimagining Rights & Responsibilities

What are the rights and responsibilities that define the relationship of people to the government, and to each other.

In contrast to nations rooted in the blood ties of their people, the United States is built on a belief that the relationship of citizens to their government and to each other should be defined by rights and responsibilities. In the Gettysburg Address Abraham Lincoln expressed a vision of the United States as “a nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all [people] are created equal.”  Lincoln understood the promise and the challenge of human rights in the U.S.  

Human Rights, to Lincoln, promised to bind together a nation of diverse racial, ethnic, religious, cultural and political identities. Intolerance and injustice would challenge this promise. Meeting this challenge has required the constant renewal of rights to confront the legacy of slavery, the racism of the post-reconstruction era, the injustice of the Great Depression and the rise of totalitarianism in the 20th century.  Today we again face the challenge.   

What are the rights and responsibilities that define the relationship of people to the government and to each other? The system of rights expressed by the U.S. Constitution, and later by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is facing severe threats today. The principle of free and fair elections is being subverted.  Racial, gender and religious discrimination, extremism and violence are being stimulated, condoned or ignored. Public discourse essential to democracy is being manipulated and degraded by new forms of digital communication, surveillance and personal data collection. Americans across the political spectrum are aware that their rights are under severe attack. This consensus creates a rare opportunity to reach people with different and competing conceptions of their rights and responsibilities as citizens, and to build support for reform and renewal of the entire system. 

The Reimagining Rights and Responsibilities in the United States project was directed by John Shattuck, Carr Center Senior Fellow and former US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. The project was overseen by a faculty committee chaired by Carr Center Faculty Director Mathias Risse, with the participation of then-Executive Director Sushma Raman, and the support of the Carr Center staff. 

Explore the Project

Latest poll shows Americans Support Strengthening U.S. Civil Rights Laws

A national survey of American attitudes toward rights and responsibilities in the United States finds that large majorities now favor strengthening the nation’s civil rights laws, despite continuing partisan division.

Reimagining Rights and Responsibilities in the United States: Toward a More Equal Liberty

Americans today know they face threats to their rights, their democracy, their health and their economy. These threats are interrelated and demand a transformative response.

National survey finds bipartisan support for expansive view of rights

At a time of deep partisan and demographic divides related to the 2020 election, 71% of Americans agree that they “have more in common with each other than many people think.”

Select Publications

Practice what you preach: global human rights leadership begins at home.

• EndNote XML

The international standing of the United States has taken a serious hit over the past four years. Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s strident “America first” foreign policy is partly to blame, but so are his attacks on democracy and human rights, both internationally and domestically. Abroad, Trump set the cause of human rights back by embracing authoritarians and alienating democratic allies. At home, he launched an assault on the electoral process, encouraged a failed insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and systematically undermined civil rights protections, leaving his successor to grapple with multiple, overlapping human rights crises. As if that were not enough, a host of other problems await, from the pandemic to increasing competition with China and the overall decline of American power.

Read the full article. 

Privacy, Personal Data, and Surveillance

Privacy has always been one of the most precarious rights of American life because it lacks clear protections in the U.S. Constitution. The right to privacy is under attack in this moment in our history like no other previous moment. Privacy defenders are attempting to fight a two-front war, as increasing incursions are made by private industry and government law enforcement.

Read the paper. 

See the full Reimagining Rights and Responsibilities Series .

Hate Crimes

The Department of Justice began prosecuting federal hate crimes cases after the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. Thus, the literature on hate crime is new, though rapidly growing. The first American use of the term “hate crime” emerged during the Civil Rights Movement in the second half of the 20th century.  The term typically refers to bias-motivated violence. But the variation in hate crimes laws and data collection policies per state has created disparities in protection against hate crimes, which leaves people vulnerable depending on where they live. Without proper hate crime statutes and data collection, it is difficult to know the true nature and magnitude of the problem of hate crimes in the United States. In order to allocate resources and deter future hate crimes, law enforcement agencies need to understand the problem at hand. 

See all issues of the Reimagining Rights and Responsibilities Series. 

Religious Freedom

The complicated relationship of religion and government predates the founding of the United States. The Founders grappled with this dilemma for years before compromising on the final language of the First Amendment. Even then, the issue was far from settled: the US has struggled since its founding to reconcile the right of religious freedom with the reality of governing a pluralist democracy with an increasingly diverse population. 

Today, a struggle over the scope of religious freedom is taking place in politics, the courts, and across American society. Claims of religious freedom are increasingly receiving preferential treatment in both political discourse and in the courts when religious beliefs come into conflict with other rights. That is particularly true for women’s reproductive rights and the rights of individuals to non-discrimination on the basis of their sexual identity. 

At the same time, a controversy has emerged over the meaning of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, in which recent Supreme Court cases have pitted the prohibition on establishment of religion against the right of religious free exercise. The central question over religious rights today is how to strike an appropriate balance between rights when they come into conflict. This question has troubled the American Republic since its formation.  

Read the full paper. 

Freedom of Speech and Media

The First Amendment guarantees some of the most fundamental rights provided to Americans under the Constitution. The right to free expression is a foundational tenet of American values. In fact, it was the First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and the press that provided much of the basis for the revolution that led to America’s founding. The First Amendment provides broad protection from government censure of speech, although limitations on some forms of published or broadcast speech, such as obscenity and hate speech, have been allowed. 

As the traditional public square governed and protected by federal regulation moves online to spaces governed by private corporations, the rules for how speech is both expressed and censored are also changing. How should legal protections for speech adapt to these new tech-powered, private forums? This chapter will explore the current landscape of free speech and the associated information landscape as well as the threats that they face. 

See other issues of the Reimagining Rights and Responsibilities series.  

Gun Rights and Public Safety

In March 2018, hundreds of thousands of young people walked out of school and marched on their local statehouses and on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to advocate for stricter controls on gun sales and ownership. The March for Our Lives was initially organized by students at Margery Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where a school shooting had killed 17 students. Collectively, the marches were the largest-ever protest against gun violence, and one of the largest protests of any kind in American history.

The growing consensus over the need for some “common-sense” gun laws to regulate the sale and ownership of firearms stands in sharp contrast to the incendiary rhetoric of the National Rifle Association, which has sounded the alarm in recent years that Democrats are coming to “take away” guns or institute a national registry of firearm ownership. Indeed, the reasonableness on both sides of the debate implies that there is a middle-ground that can be achieved to limit gun violence in the United States, while still allowing for responsible ownership of firearms for hunting, sport shooting, and personal protection. 

Read the article. 

See the full Reimagining Rights and Responsibilities series. 

News and Announcements

Holding Together: The Hijacking of Rights in America and How to Reclaim Them for Everyone

An overwhelming majority of Americans agree that rights are essential to their freedom, and that rights today are severely threatened. The promise of rights has been reimagined at pivotal moments in American history — can today become another time of transformation?

... Read more about Holding Together: The Hijacking of Rights in America and How to Reclaim Them for Everyone

Americans’ Attitudes Toward Civil Rights and Government Are More Aligned Since Pandemic

A recent article by the Harvard Kennedy School highlights the Carr Center's second national poll under the Reimagining Rights and Responsibilities in the United States project.

... Read more about Americans’ Attitudes Toward Civil Rights and Government Are More Aligned Since Pandemic

The Carr Center Releases its Reimagining Rights and Responsibilities in the United States Report

Researchers at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy release a set of 80 recommendations toward a more equal liberty.

... Read more about The Carr Center Releases its Reimagining Rights and Responsibilities in the United States Report

In contrast to nations rooted in the blood ties of their people, the U.S. is rooted in the belief that the relationship of citizens to their government and to each other is defined by a system of rights that expresses the core values of American democracy.

- John Shattuck

Featured Videos

Reimagining rights and responsibilities in the u.s..

The Pompeo Commission on Unalienable Rights: A Selective Vision of Human Rights

Civic Engagement and Human Rights: Reviving U.S. Democracy

• school Campus Bookshelves
• menu_book Bookshelves
• perm_media Learning Objects
• login Login
• how_to_reg Request Instructor Account
• hub Instructor Commons
• Download Page (PDF)
• Download Full Book (PDF)
• Periodic Table
• Physics Constants
• Scientific Calculator
• Reference & Cite
• Tools expand_more
• Readability

selected template will load here

This action is not available.

10.3: What are students' rights and responsibilities?

• Last updated
• Save as PDF
• Page ID 111202

• Jennfer Kidd, Jamie Kaufman, Peter Baker, Patrick O'Shea, Dwight Allen, & Old Dominion U students
• Old Dominion University

by Alec Bauserman

"The vigilant protection of constitutional freedoms is nowhere more vital than in the community of American schools." Shelton v. Tucker, 364 U.S. 479 (1960)

Lawsuits have become increasingly common in our society and many Americans act and speak out of the fear of being taken to court. In any environment, one must be conscious of how their words and actions will affect others. A thoughtless statement or inappropriate physical contact might land you in court. This is especially true in schools, where daily contact, high emotions and stressful circumstances can all come together at the wrong moment. As such, it is good to understand the rights of students trying to express themselves and the rights of teachers trying to keep a safe, orderly learning environment. Few people know their constitutional rights, and even fewer teachers & students know how their constitutional rights change once they enter the ‘semi-public/semi-private” classroom.

This paper will examine some of the rights guaranteed to all Americans and how those rights change once they enter school. It will also seek to answer some of the most common questions held by students. What is free speech? Is it protected in school? How safe am I in my possessions? Do I have any expectation of privacy when it comes to my things? A good understanding of students’ rights benefits everyone: the students who exercise them, the teachers who challenge them, and the democratic society which lives by them.

Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): The Supreme Court of the United States of America. (Public Domain, Jeff Kubina, Wikimedia )

Learning Objectives

• identify and understand the basic philosophy of the courts when determining the extent of student’s rights
• recognize similarities and differences between Constitutional rights held in school and life out side it.
• recognize the major court case which set the groundwork for all future Supreme Court cases involving student’s rights
• make informed decisions in real-life situations based on the knowledge presented here
• inform colleagues and students of the information contained in this article

Students Rights

The founding fathers deliberated for days on end when writing the first draft of our nation’s Constitution and later the Bill of Rights. They agonized over wording; argued over semantics. It is likely they had no idea just how successful this “great experiment in democracy” would turn out to be. Equally likely is this: they never once considered how these rights would pertain to young students in the classroom. The landmark case of Tinker v. Des Moines School District clearly defined the benchmark for how rights may be exercised and when they may be curtailed:

“It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.

… On the other hand, the Court has repeatedly emphasized the need for affirming the comprehensive authority of the States and of school officials, consistent with fundamental constitutional safeguards, to prescribe and control conduct in the schools.

... Our problem lies in the area where students in the exercise of [their] rights collide with the rules of the school authorities."

In other words, one doesn’t surrender his or her constitutional rights by attending school. However the courts have recognized that the unique nature of the school environment requires that certain liberties be suppressed in the interest of maintaining a safe, orderly learning environment. According to the doctrine of “in loco parentis” school officials are more than government officials; they are, in a legal sense, the temporary parents of their students. Just what exactly that allows them to do and say is a matter of debate and has led to numerous legal challenges, many involving the Supreme Court. This paper will examine some of those court decisions and explore their impact on student’s rights.

Summary - The balancing act between the free expression of rights and the desire to maintain order in school serves as a good example of the struggle faced by our democratic society.

The 1st Amendment

Freedom of Speech, Expression & Religion

Perhaps the most quoted court decision on the subject, Tinker v. Des Moines was a battle over students’ 1st amendment rights, specifically the right to free speech. High school students John Tinker, 15, and Christopher Eckhardt, 16, decided to show their opposition to the Vietnam War by wearing black armbands to school. Administrators countered by banning armbands and threatened disciplinary actions for any students violating the rule. Tinker and Eckhardt wore their armbands and were suspended, not allowed back until they agreed to stop violating school rules. Tinker’s father subsequently sued and lost in District Court. The Appellate Court was unable to reach a decision and the case was passed up to the Supreme Court, who overturned the District Court’s decision and ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. The court stated that if the student’s actions did not disrupt the learning environment, or advocate or cause harm to themselves or others, it was permissible. This has been the rationale in virtually every other opinion held by the court regarding student’s constitutional rights.

While a student’s right to free speech is protected, it is not a blanket protection covering any form of protest. A recent example of this is Morse v. Frederick , also known as the “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” case. This case is particularly eye-opening in that the offense occurred off school grounds. Frederick, a high school student, displayed a banner at a local parade featuring the phrase “Bong Hits 4 Jesus,” a reference to marijuana use. Morse, a school official, noticed the banner and instructed the student to take it down. When Frederick refused, he was suspended by Morse and the decision was upheld by the school board. Frederick sued, claiming protection under his 1st amendment rights. This time the Supreme Court sided with the school board, noting “ … schools may take steps to safeguard those entrusted to their care from speech that can reasonably be regarded as encouraging illegal drug use, [therefore] the school officials in this case did not violate the First Amendment…” This fits with the consistent message of the courts – a student’s Constitutional rights will be protected only as long as their exercise does not endanger the health or academic progress of others.

Other cases regarding the Rights of Free Speech & Expression:

West Virginia v. Barnette , 1943 – The court ruled that is unconstitutional to require students to salute the American flag. The 1st amendment not only protects freedom "of" expression but also freedom "from" expression.

Bethel School District v. Fraser , 1986 - Washington high school student Matthew Fraser was suspended for using sexually explicit language in a speech given on school grounds. The court sided with the school, affirming that schools can prohibit “lewd, indecent or plainly offensive” language.

Guiles v. Marineau , 2004 – A 14- year old student in Vermont was suspended for repeatedly wearing a T-shirt depicting President George W Bush as an alcoholic and a cocaine addict. The shirt contained both written and visual depictions of banned substances. The court sided with the student, citing two factors: 1) the shirt did not advocate the use of illegal drugs and 2) the shirt did not cause significant disruptions to the learning environment.

Summary – A student’s exercise of speech or expression is legal and constitutionally protected so long as it doesn’t:

• endanger the public
• disrupt the learning environment
• advocate the use of illegal substances or other violations of the law

4th Amendment

Unreasonable Search & Seizure

The student’s desire for freedom of speech can only be matched by their desire for privacy and for security of their possessions. The right of school officials to search a student’s belongings is a contentious issue, and few teachers know the limits of their authority and few students understand the extent of their rights. Just as Tinker v. Des Moines set the standard for the protection of 1st Amendment rights, so did another case set the precedent for search & seizure: New Jersey v. T. L. O. , 469 U.S. 325 (1985).

Two female high school students were caught smoking in the restroom and assistant principal Theodore Choplick confronted them. One of the two admitted her wrongdoing but the other student (T.L.O.) denied it. Choplick searched T.L.O.’s purse and discovered cigarettes, drugs and drug paraphernalia, along with a large amount of money. T.L.O. was tried and convicted in court on charges of delinquency. The student countered that the school had violated her 4th amendment rights, depriving her of protection against unreasonable search and seizure (i.e. searching without a warrant) and the evidence should be inadmissible. The Supreme Court disagreed, stating: “a school official may properly conduct a search of a student's person if the official has a reasonable suspicion that a crime has been or is in the process of being committed, or reasonable cause to believe that the search is necessary to maintain school discipline or enforce school policies."

This is a departure from the court’s usual position requiring “probable cause” for government officials to search someone without a warrant. This change, although appearing slight, has enormous ramifications. School officials may search someone based solely upon a well-grounded suspicion, not iron-clad evidence of wrongdoing. This is analogous to the difference between “reasonable doubt” and “beyond a shadow of a doubt.” This threshold however applies only to school personnel and NOT to law enforcement officials on school grounds. The court has been careful not to slide down that slippery slope. In the court’s decision, they state that a teacher’s right to protect him- or herself and the safety of their students is on par with the rights of firefighters, EMS, OSHA officials, etc. The right to privacy must be balanced against the publics right to safety. In a school, the balance is tilted toward protecting safety and maintaining order, even if it is at the expense of student rights.

The issue of locker searches has not come to the Supreme Court. As the locker is school property and therefore “public space” it is not afforded the same protections as a student’s personal possessions.

State of Iowa v. Marzel Jones (2003) - A student whose locker was cleaned out by school personnel. Finding a small amount of marijuana, the student was charged. Marzel claimed 4th amendment protection against unreasonable search & seizure but was denied by the State Supreme Court who “noted that the search occurred on school grounds, ‘where the State is responsible for maintaining discipline, health, and safety.’(Bd. of Ed. of Indep. Sch. Dist. 92 v. Earls, 536 U.S. 822)”

Another issue of concern has been the constitutionality of drug screenings for student-athletes.

Vernonia School District v. Acton (1995) – 7th grade Oregon student James Acton signed up to play football but refused to take a mandatory urine test. Drug testing was administered to athletes after a recent ‘explosion’ in drug-use and the related discipline problems which arose. Citing public health concerns and noting the prevalence of student-athletes involved in drug-related incidents, the school board deemed urinalysis a necessary requirement for participation in sports. The Supreme Court agreed and upheld their decision. Once again, the desire to protect public health overrode student’s desire for privacy.

Summary – School personnel may search a student and their belongings if the health & welfare of the public is at risk or they have a ‘reasonable suspicion’ that a crime has been, is being, or will be committed

5th & 14th Amendment

The Right to Due Process

These amendments protect an individual’s right to a fair trial and must be considered whenever “a person's good name, reputation, honor, or integrity is at stake because of what the government is doing to him..." (Wisconsin v. Constantineau, 1971). This includes the enforcement of disciplinary actions such as suspension or expulsion. The expectations of a fair trial are very different however, depending on the circumstances. Disciplinary expulsion is treated differently than an ‘academic dismissal.’ Claire La Roche makes the point by citing Barnard v. Inhabitants of Shelburne: “Misconduct is a very different matter from failure to attain a standard of excellence in studies.... A public hearing may be regarded as helpful to the ascertainment of misconduct and useless or harmful in finding out the truth as to scholarship." (emphasis added)

According to La Roche’s interpretation of the courts, the following are necessary in the expulsion of a student on disciplinary grounds:

• a timely & formal hearing
• a detailed explanation of the charges
• a strict adherence to the schools stated policy
• a ‘punishment that fits the crime’

She goes on: “To ensure fundamental fairness, decisions must be based on the facts and supported by the evidence. Moreover, punishment should be commensurate with the severity of the offense. Consequently, it is important for schools to establish guidelines and be consistent with sanctions.”

This matter has come before the Supreme Court as well, who ruled that the rights of due process vary depending on the reason for expulsion. An academic dismissal does not have the same requirements as the stricter guidelines set down for a disciplinary expulsion. This is illustrated by the case of University of Missouri v. Horowitz (1977). A student was expelled for poor academics and lack of good hygiene after being notified in writing and in person. The student countered with the fact that she had never been given a hearing to dispute the charges. The Supreme Court denied her appeal. As La Roche reiterates, “Ultimately, the Supreme Court of the United States held that procedural due process did not require a formal hearing when the school dismisses a student for academic reasons.”

Summary – students are guaranteed the right to a fair trial and due process, although their rights are dependent upon the nature of their dismissal.

How are college students affected by these decisions?

• "Since 1970, officers on the Seattle campus have regularly patrolled the hallways of dormitories of the University of Washington."
• "[T]he state's Court of Appeals ruled that students have the same right to privacy in dormitory hallways as they do in their rooms."
• "Therefore ... campus police officers lack the legal authority to randomly patrol residence halls."

"Although the closely watched ruling bears on only one state, it reveals the tension between privacy and security in dormitories everywhere. Residence halls are legally complex spaces , where crime often creeps in and where residents, perhaps more than ever, expect administrators and police officers to ensure their safety."

Hoover, Eric. (July, 2008). Police in the Dorms: Student Safety or Privacy Infringement? Chronicle of Higher Education, v54 n46 pA15. (link)

Other Miscellaneous Cases

The following are other judgements handed down by the Supreme Court:

- School uniforms and dress codes are intended to stop disruptions to the learning process by banning lewd, obscene or offensive clothing. As such, the courts have ruled them constitutional despite students pleading for “the freedom of expression” and the lesser-known “freedom to see skin.”

- Corporal punishment (physically disciplining a student) barely passed a constitutional challenge in 1977 with a divided court ruling 5-4 that it is neither “cruel and unusual punishment” nor a denial of due process. ( Ingraham v. Wright , 430 U.S. 651)

- The censorship of school newspapers was upheld with the understanding that the school is not a “forum of public expression.” Further, the justices declared that a school “need not tolerate student speech that is inconsistent with its basic educational mission.” ( Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier , 484 U.S. 260 [1988])

The Supreme Court has changed greatly through the years, sometimes leaning left, sometimes right. Throughout it all, it has remained remarkably consistent on the issue of student’s constitutional rights in school. In summary, the opinion held by the court might best be summarized by the following: “An ye harm none, do what ye will.” If a student’s speech or actions do not cause physical, emotional or academic harm to others, they will receive the fullest protection offered by the Constitution. By extending these rights to students, teachers offer them the greatest benefit of our democracy and in doing so, invite them to become full members of society.

• Hoover, Eric. (July, 2008). Police in the Dorms: Student Safety or Privacy Infringement? Chronicle of Higher Education, v54 n46 pA15.
• La Roche, C. (2005). Student rights associated with disciplinary and academic hearings and sanctions. College Student Journal. Retrieved from FindArticles.com. 23 Sep. 2008. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCR/is_1_39/ai_n13620069
• www.wicca.com/celtic/wicca/rede.htm
• Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser, 478 U.S. 675 (1986) - LINK
• Guiles v. Marineau, 461 F.3d 320, 324-25 (2d. Cir. 2006) - LINK
• Hazelwood School District et al. v. Kuhlmeier et al., 484 U.S. 260 (1988) - LINK
• Ingraham v. Wright, 430 U.S. 651 (1977) - LINK
• Morse v. Frederick, 127 S. Ct. 2618 (2007) - LINK
• New Jersey v. T. L. O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985) - LINK
• Shelton v. Tucker, 364 U.S. 479 (1960) - LINK
• State of Iowa vs. Marzel Jones, Appellee 02-505 (2003) - LINK
• Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 393 U.S. 503 (1969) - LINK
• University of Missouri v. Horowitz, 435 U.S. 78 (1978) - www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/horowitz.html
• Vernonia School District 47J v. Acton, 515 U.S. 646 (1995) - LINK
• West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943) - LINK
• Wisconsin v. Constantineau, 400 U.S. 433 (1971) - LINK
• http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_stud.html
• http://legal-explanations.com/definitions/in-loco-parentis.htm - in loco parentis
• www.legis.state.ia.us/lsadocs/Legal_Update/2003/LUKBH000.PDF - locker search

Author Response

Hello! This article was originally going to be written about "Students' Rights & Responsibilities" but I chose to focus solely on the legal aspect for several reasons, but mainly because its so important. Lawsuits are a real possibility and knowing your rights as teachers, and the students rights as well, can only be a good thing. I think the deserves its own article so more information can be presented on the topic. I certainly learned a lot by writing this. The knowledge I gained has made me more confident in what I can and cannot do in my role as a teacher. While the risk of a lawsuit is still there (and very likely always will be) having a good understanding of teacher's and student's rights has made me more relaxed in the hallways where discipline is the number-one concern. I hope you found this article as helpful as I did.

Essay on Responsibility

Students are often asked to write an essay on Responsibility in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Responsibility

Understanding responsibility.

Responsibility means being accountable for our actions. It involves making decisions and facing the consequences. It’s a vital life skill, crucial for personal growth.

Types of Responsibility

Responsibility can be personal or social. Personal responsibility involves self-care, while social responsibility involves caring for others and the environment.

Importance of Responsibility

Being responsible helps in building trust and respect. It also aids in developing self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment.

In conclusion, responsibility shapes our character. It’s a key to success, making us reliable and respected individuals.

Also check:

• 10 Lines on Responsibility
• Speech on Responsibility

250 Words Essay on Responsibility

Responsibility is a multifaceted concept that encompasses moral, social, and personal dimensions. It is the obligation to carry out tasks and roles effectively and efficiently, and it is integral to the development of an individual’s character and societal structure.

Moral Responsibility

Moral responsibility refers to the duty one has towards oneself and others, encapsulating the principles of honesty, integrity, and fairness. It involves making conscientious decisions that respect the rights and welfare of others. For instance, a journalist has a moral responsibility to report news objectively, without bias or distortion.

Social Responsibility

On a broader scale, social responsibility concerns the obligations individuals or organizations have towards society. It includes actions that contribute to the welfare of the community, such as volunteering, environmental conservation, or philanthropy. Corporations, too, bear social responsibility, aiming to minimize their negative impact on society while maximizing their positive contributions.

Personal Responsibility

Personal responsibility, meanwhile, involves acknowledging and fulfilling personal commitments and obligations. It is about taking ownership of one’s actions and their consequences. For example, a student has a personal responsibility to complete their assignments on time and to the best of their ability.

The Importance of Responsibility

Responsibility is pivotal in shaping a just and harmonious society. It fosters trust, cooperation, and respect among individuals and groups. Moreover, it promotes personal growth, self-discipline, and resilience. Embracing responsibility, therefore, is a stepping stone towards personal success and societal progress.

In conclusion, responsibility is a cornerstone of ethical conduct and social cohesion. It is an attribute that should be cultivated and cherished for the betterment of individuals and society at large.

500 Words Essay on Responsibility

Introduction.

Responsibility is a fundamental concept that permeates all aspects of life. It is a principle that guides our actions, decisions, and relationships, shaping our character and defining who we are as individuals and as members of society. Understanding responsibility and its implications is crucial to personal development and social cohesion.

Conceptualizing Responsibility

Responsibility is a multifaceted construct. It can be seen as a duty or obligation, an expectation to perform certain tasks or uphold specific standards. It can also be understood as accountability, the acceptance of the consequences of our actions. Responsibility implies a moral dimension, an ethical commitment to do what is right and fair.

Personal responsibility involves taking charge of one’s own actions, decisions, and their outcomes. It is about owning up to mistakes, learning from them, and striving to do better. Personal responsibility is a cornerstone of self-improvement and personal growth. It promotes self-efficacy, self-respect, and integrity.

Beyond the personal realm, responsibility also has a social dimension. Social responsibility refers to the duties and obligations we have towards others and society at large. It is about contributing to the common good, respecting the rights of others, and promoting social justice. Social responsibility fosters empathy, cooperation, and social harmony.

Responsibility and Freedom

Responsibility is intrinsically linked to freedom. With freedom comes responsibility. The more freedom we have, the more responsibility we bear for our actions. Conversely, the more responsible we are, the more freedom we are likely to enjoy. Responsibility and freedom are thus two sides of the same coin, mutually reinforcing and interdependent.

Challenges and Opportunities

Responsibility, while fundamentally important, is not always easy to uphold. It requires self-discipline, moral courage, and a sense of duty. It can sometimes be burdensome and demanding. However, responsibility also presents opportunities. It empowers us to shape our destiny, to make a difference, and to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life.

In conclusion, responsibility is a powerful principle that governs our actions and shapes our character. It is a duty, an accountability, and a moral commitment. It is about taking charge of our actions, contributing to the common good, and respecting the rights of others. Responsibility is a challenge, but also an opportunity. It is a pathway to personal growth, social harmony, and a fulfilling life. Embracing responsibility is thus not only a personal choice but a societal imperative.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Resilience
• Essay on Republic Day
• Essay on Religion

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Essay on Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens for Students

Table of Contents

India is a democratic country where its citizens live freely however they have lots of rights and responsibilities towards their country. Rights and responsibilities are two sides of a coin and both go side to side. If we have rights we must have their corresponding responsibilities too. Rights and responsibilities go hand in hand with us where we live in whatever home, society, village, state, or country. Now-a-days, students gets assigned by their teachers to write some paragraphs or complete essay on any topic to enhance their English writing skill and knowledge as well as spread awareness. Following are some paragraphs, short essays and long essays on Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens to help students in completing their related task. All the Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens essay are written very simply. So, you can select any essay according to your need and requirement:

Fill Out the Form for Expert Academic Guidance!

Please indicate your interest Live Classes Books Test Series Self Learning

Verify OTP Code (required)

I agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy .

Fill complete details

Target Exam ---

Long and Short Essay on Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens in English

Rights and responsibilities of citizens essay 1 (100 words).

Citizen is the person who lives as an inhabitant in any village or city of the state and country. We all are citizen of our country and have various rights and responsibilities towards our village, city, society, state and country. Rights and duties of each citizen are very valuable and inter-related. Every state or country provides its citizens some fundamental civil rights such as personal rights, religious rights, social rights, moral rights, economic rights and political rights. As a citizen of the country we are morally and legally required to complete our duties always together. We should love and respect each other and live together without any difference. We are expected to sacrifice time to time in order to protect our country.

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Essay 2 (150 words)

Citizens living in the country must know their rights and responsibilities. Understanding all the rules and regulation presented by the government may help every citizen in completing their responsibilities towards country. We must understand our rights for our own well being and freedom in the country as well as serve for the communities and country. The constitution of India (called as supreme law of India) came into force in 1950 on 26 January which has given democratic rights to the Indian citizen. According to the Indian constitution, people of India have various rights and responsibilities.

There are around six fundamental rights of the Indian citizens without which no one can live in the democratic manner. Means, democracy in the country can work only if its citizens have rights. Such rights prevent the government from being dictatorial and cruel. Fundamental rights help people in their moral, material and personality development. In case of rights violations of someone, courts can protect and safeguard them. There are some fundamental responsibilities too for the peace and prosperity of the country.

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Essay 3 (200 words)

Fundamental rights of the Indian citizens are given to them for the basic and essential conditions of good life for their progress. Without such rights no Indian citizen can develop his/her personality and confidence. These fundamental rights are preserved in the Indian Constitution. Fundamental rights are protected and guaranteed to the citizens by supreme law while ordinary rights by the ordinary law. Fundamental rights of the citizens are not violable in ordinary situation however in some reasonable circumstances they can be suspended but temporarily.

Six fundamental rights according to the Indian constitution are Right to Equality (Article 14 – Article 18), Right to Religion (Articles 25 – Article 28), Right against Exploitation (Articles 23 – Article 24), Right to Culture and Education (Articles 29 – Article 30), Right to Freedom (Articles 19 – Article 22), and Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32). Citizens enjoy their fundamental rights living anywhere in the country. He/she can go to the court for legal assistance in case his/her rights are violated by force. There are various responsibilities too of the good citizens which everyone must follow in order to improve surroundings and get inner peace. Fulfilling responsibilities towards country gives sense of ownership for the country. Being a good citizen of the country, we should not waste electricity, water, natural resources, public property, etc. We should follow all the rules and laws as well as pay tax timely.

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Essay 4 (250 words)

Fundamental rights given to the Indian citizens are essential part of the Constitution. Such fundamental rights can be altered by the Parliament using special procedure. No person other than Indian citizen is allowed to enjoy such rights except right to liberty, life, and personal property. Other fundamental rights except right to life and personal liberty can be suspended during time of emergency. If any citizen found his/her rights violated can go to the court (Supreme Court and High Court) for enforcement. Some fundamental rights are positive or negative in nature and always become superior to the ordinary laws. Some fundamental rights like freedom of speech, assembly, cultural right and educational rights are limited to citizens only.

There were no fundamental duties preserved in the Constitution of India when it came into force in 1950. However, ten fundamental duties (covered by Article 51 A) were added in the 42 nd Amendment of the Constitution of India in 1976. Following are the fundamental responsibilities of the Indian citizens:

• Indian citizen must respect their National Flag and the National Anthem.
• They must respect, value and follow all the noble ideals used in the national struggle for freedom.
• They must to protect the power, unity and integrity of the country.
• They guard the country and maintain the spirit of common brotherhood.
• They must protect and preserve the cultural heritage sites.
• They must protect, preserve and improve the natural environment.
• They must safeguard the public property.
• They should develop scientific temper and spirit of inquiry.
• They must work hard to get excellence in every area of individual and collective activity.

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Essay 5 (300 words)

Fundamental duties of the Indian citizens are mentioned in the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution of India in 1976. All the responsibilities are very important and necessary for the vital interest of country. They can be civic duties or moral duties which cannot be enforced legally upon the citizens even by the courts. One cannot be punished if he/she is not performing his/her duties as there is no legal force governing these duties. Fundamental duties (right to equality, right to freedom, right against exploitation, right to freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights and right to constitutional remedies) are the integral part of Constitution of India having moral impact and educative value upon the Indian citizens. Inclusion of such responsibilities to the Constitution is important for the progress, peace and prosperity of the country.

Some of the fundamental responsibilities mentioned in the Constitution of India are like respect to the National Flag, the National Anthem, citizens must defend their country, commit to provide National service whenever required, safeguard the public property, etc. Such rights and responsibilities are very important for National interest of the country however not forcefully enforced to the people. In order to completely enjoy the rights, people must perform their responsibilities towards country in a well manner as rights and responsibilities are related to each other. As we get rights our responsibilities increases too towards individual and social welfare. Both are not separable and vital regarding prosperity of country.

As a good citizen of the country, we need to know and learn our all the rights and duties for the welfare of our society and country. We need to understand that all of us are responsible for good or bad condition of the society. We need to change our thinking into action to bring some positive effect in our society and country. If the individual action performed by a person can change the life; why not, our collaborative actions have positive effects over the society and country. So, the duties of citizens matters a lot for the prosperity and peace of society and entire country.

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Essay 6 (400 words)

As we are a social animal, we have lots of responsibilities for the development as well as bring prosperity and peace in the society and country. In order to fulfill our responsibilities we have given some rights by the Constitution of India. Rights are very necessary given to the citizens for their individual development and improve the social life. Democratic system of the country is completely based on the freedom of its citizens to enjoy their rights. Rights given by our Constitution are called as Fundamental Rights which cannot be taken back from us in normal times. Our Constitution gives us six rights such as:

• Right to Freedom: It is very important fundamental right which makes people able to express their thoughts and ideas through speech, writing or other means. According to this right, a person is free to cherish, criticize or speak against the governmental policies. He/she is free to carry on any business in any corner of the country.
• Right to Freedom of Religion: There are many states in the country where people of various religions live together. Each one of us is free to practice, propagate and follow any religion we like. No one has right to interfere with the faith of anybody.
• Right to Equality: Citizens living in India are equal and have no any difference and discrimination between rich and poor or high and low. A person of any religion, caste, creed, sex or place can get the highest position in office for which he/she has ability and required qualifications
• Right to Education and Culture: Every child has right to education and he/she can get education in any institution up to any level.
• Right against Exploitation: No one has right to force anybody to work without wages or against his/her wish or children below 14 years of age.
• Right to Constitutional Remedies: It is the most important one which protects all the fundamental rights. If someone feels that his/her rights are being harmed in any condition he/she can approach to the court seeking justice.

As we know that both, duties and rights go side by side. Our rights are meaningless without duties thus both are inseparable. We do not have right to get benefited with rights if we do not follow our duties properly for the smooth running of country. As being the citizen of the country, our responsibilities and duties are:

• We must respect the National Flag and National Anthem.
• We should respect and obey the laws of our country.
• We should enjoy rights and freedom under the limit without interfering with freedom and rights of others.
• We should be ready to protect our country whenever required.
• We should respect and protect national property and public property (such as railways, post-offices, bridges, roadways, schools, colleges, historical buildings, places, forests, etc).
• We should pay our taxes with honesty in timely manner.

Related content

Talk to our academic expert!

Language --- English Hindi Marathi Tamil Telugu Malayalam

Get access to free Mock Test and Master Class

Register to Get Free Mock Test and Study Material

Offer Ends in 5:00

Labor Law: Employees’ Rights and Responsibilities Essay

Introduction, employee’s rights and responsibilities, reference list.

An employment contract is an agreement between the employer and the employee. It clearly illustrates the rights, duties, and responsibilities of both the employer and the worker. According to the Compact Law (2015), an employer is legally bound to provide employment terms to the employee within the first 2 months of employment.

However, employment conditions do not necessarily contribute to establishing a better working relationship between the employer and the worker (Mahammed 2014).

As indicated in the Compact Law (2015), a detailed employment contract that includes employee’s duties and responsibilities helps in strengthening the bond between the employer and the worker. This paper critically explains why the inclusion of duties and responsibilities in an employee’s employment contract is fundamental to a productive relationship between the employer and the employee.

According to the Compact Law (2015), an employment contract is typically divided into several sections that specify the various rights and responsibilities that an employee enjoys while at work. The employment contract states the specific workplace that the employee will be stationed, as well as the possibility of being moved to other places in the future.

This right minimizes the conflict that may arise in case the employer wishes to transfer the employee to a different location, either temporarily or permanently. According to the Compact Law (2015), an employee is entitled to a specific number of work hours, breaks, work/rest days, etc. However, the employment contract provides for the employee working more hours during special occasions. It reduces disputes related to work hours, breaks, and rest days.

The employment contract specifies the period in which an employee will be under probation (Mahammed 2014). The employer may confirm the employee or dismiss him/her when that period expires, depending on the conduct and performance of the employee while under probation. If a dismissal arises after a probation period, then the employee is not engaged in unnecessary disputes with the employer.

The contract indicates the wages that the employee is to be paid. There is also a provision for increasing the salary after a specified period, depending on the performance of the employee (Mahammed 2014). According to the University of Salford (2015), an employer has to make sure that the salary paid is not below the minimum wage scale set by the government. Therefore, managers have good relations with their employees if they pay salaries on time and implement increments as stipulated in the contract.

The employees are entitled to several leaves, including annual leave, sick leave, and maternity/paternity leave. If both the employer and the employee agree on these leaves, then it works for strengthening their relationship. Consequently, the quality of work improves. The employment contract should stipulate the conditions for dismissal and the period required to issue a notice to both the parties (University of Salford 2015). Therefore, there is no room for disputes if the due process is followed in issuing a notice or dismissal.

It is the employee’s right to have a safe working environment. An employer, thus, agrees in the employment contract that employees’ safety is paramount to avoid injuries and accidents at the workplace. Fair deductions should be made in the employee’s salary as stipulated in the employment contract (Compact Law 2015).

An employer is mandated by the law to deduct some amount of money from the employee’s salary to go to the government as a tax. However, an employer should not deduct money from the pay of an employee for unfair purposes, such as buying of workers’ uniforms. Following this regulation enhances a better relationship between the employer and the worker.

According to the University of Salford (2015), the company should maintain the confidentiality of the workers, as stipulated in the contract, to enhance better working relations. Every employee is responsible for carrying out their duties as specified in the job description. The employee is also responsible for protecting the company’s property at all times. According to the Compact Law (2015), the relationship between the employer and the employee is enhanced if both parties involved carry out their responsibilities as required.

An employee’s employment contract forms a foundation for better relations between the employer and the worker. Various rights and responsibilities stipulated in the contract are to smoothen operations in an organisation. Some of the rights of an employee that are specified in the contract include a proper job description, safe workplace, the number of hours that an employee should work in a day, leave entitlement, amount of salary to be paid, deductions to be made, and the right to confidentiality.

On the other hand, employees are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that they do what is stipulated in the job description. Employees are also responsible for taking care of the company’s property, including equipment and machinery. Following set rights and responsibilities is the key to ensuring a sound relationship between management and employees, which is also paramount for organizational success.

Compact Law 2015, Employment contracts: What should be included. Web.

Mahammed, C 2014, Business guide and employment role, Author House UK Ltd., Bloomington.

The University of Salford 2015, Your employment rights and responsibility . Web.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2022, August 18). Labor Law: Employees’ Rights and Responsibilities. https://ivypanda.com/essays/labor-law-employees-rights-and-responsibilities/

"Labor Law: Employees’ Rights and Responsibilities." IvyPanda , 18 Aug. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/labor-law-employees-rights-and-responsibilities/.

IvyPanda . (2022) 'Labor Law: Employees’ Rights and Responsibilities'. 18 August.

IvyPanda . 2022. "Labor Law: Employees’ Rights and Responsibilities." August 18, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/labor-law-employees-rights-and-responsibilities/.

1. IvyPanda . "Labor Law: Employees’ Rights and Responsibilities." August 18, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/labor-law-employees-rights-and-responsibilities/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Labor Law: Employees’ Rights and Responsibilities." August 18, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/labor-law-employees-rights-and-responsibilities/.

• Itemized Deductions. Financial Research
• Income Tax Deductions Issues
• UK Employment Law Application
• The Employment Standards Act On Termination of Employment
• Probation and Parole Overview
• Global Compact and Its Tasks
• What is Juvenile Probation?
• The Impact of Probation as an Alternative Sentence
• Corrections in America: Probation and Its Effectiveness
• Dismissal Meeting
• Labor Issues: Employment at Will
• Australian Employment Welfare
• Labor Aristocracy in Australia
• Labor Law: Equal Employment Opportunity
• The Role of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

• ☀ NCERT Books
• ☀ AP SCERT Books
• ☀ GSEB Books
• ☀ TS SCERT Books
• ☀ Board Syllabus
• ☀ Board Time Tables
• ☀ Board Hall Tickets
• ☀ Board Results
• Board Result
• Board Time Table
• Board Hall Ticket
• Board Syllabus

• Moral Values

Essay on Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens for Students and Children | PDF Download

Herewith, We have provided an Essay on Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens for Students and Children, So not only the students and children but also everyone has to refer to this complete article because as a citizen of India we must have a complete awareness of our rights and responsibilities.

Essay on Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens

Citizen: A native member of a state or nation or a participatory member of a country. Citizenship is gained by a person by meeting the legal requirements of a nation, state, or local government. If the citizen meets the laws of the country then it is granted certain rights and privileges.

Rights and Responsibilities of a Citizen Essay: Every citizen of India are expected to perform some responsibilities, We must respect our National Flag and National Anthem by obeying the laws of the Country. The Fundamental Rights are considered as the basic rights of all citizens and it is embodied under Part 3 from Article 12 to 35 of the Indian constitution irrespective of caste, creed, color, gender, religion, etc., The six Rights of Indian Citizen depicted in the Indian Constitution were borrowed from the constitution of USA. Likewise, Indian citizens are also expected to perform some duties towards the country, Fundamental duties of  Indian citizens were added by the 42nd amendment under Article 51A, Part 4A of the Indian Constitution.

Fundamental Rights of Indian Citizens:

Six fundamental rights are granted to Citizens in India. They are Right to Equality,  Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and Right to Constitutional Remedies.

1. Right to Equality (Article 14-18): All are equal before the law. Right to equality ensures, Equality before the law and equal protection of laws, and it prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. It also ensures Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment and abolishes untouchability. There is no discrimination against anyone in matters of employment on the grounds of caste, creed, color, religion, gender, place of birth, etc.

2. Right to Freedom (Article 19-22): Right to Freedom provides six protection rights that are (i) freedom of speech and expression (ii) freedom assemble peacefully and without arms, (iii) freedom to form associations or unions (iv) freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India, (v) freedom to reside or settle in any part of the country, (vi) freedom to practice any profession or to carry any trade or business

3. Right against Exploitation (Article 23 and 24): Trafficking, child labor, forced labor are abolished under this right by making it an offense and punishable by law. It ensures Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etc.No child below the age of 14 years can be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment.

4. Right to Freedom of Religion (Article 25 to 28): Freedom of Religion grants religious freedom and ensures secular states in India. As per the Indian Constitution, there is no official religion in the state and states should treat all regions equally and impartially. It ensures freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion, freedom to manage religious affairs, Freedom from payment of taxes for promotion of any religion, Freedom from attending religious instruction or worship in certain educational institutions, and the state can not compel any citizen to pay any taxes for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religious institutions.

5. Cultural and Educational Rights (Article 29 and 30): Cultural Rights ensures the protection of language, script, and culture of minorities, Where a religious community is in the minority, the constitution enables it to preserve its culture and religious interests. Educational rights ensure education for everyone irrespective of their caste, creed, color, religion, gender, place of birth, etc., and the minority community has the right to establish educational institutions of its choice and the state shall not discriminate against such educational institutions maintained by a minority community.

6. Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32): Article 32 ensures that every citizen can go to the supreme court to ask for the enforcement, protection, and violations of their fundamental rights. Supreme Court has been entitled with the powers to issue orders against any person or Government within the territory of India for the enforcement of fundamental duties.

Fundamental Duties or Responsibilities of an Indian Citizen:

The following fundamental duties of the 42nd amendment under Article 51A,  Part 4A of the Indian Constitution must be obeyed by the Indian citizen

a) To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem. b) To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom. c) To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India. d) To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so. e) To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic, and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women. f) To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture. g) To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures. h) To develop the scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform. i) To safeguard public property and to abjure violence; j) To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavor and achievement. k) Who is a parent or guardian, to provide opportunities for education to his child, or as the case may be, ward between the age of six to fourteen years. The duty was included in the list of fundamental duties by the 86th Amendment to the constitution of India in the year 2002.

Rights and Responsibilities: Images

Conclusion: We can conclude this Essay on the Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens for Students and Children in English that to enjoy the rights granted by the Indian Constitution, every Indian citizen must obey and perform the responsibilities embodied in the Indian Constitution. We must perform our responsibilities towards our fellow citizens, society, and the nation which are enforced by law.

We hope that the above-composed Essay on the Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens for Students and Children in English will be useful for you.

Dear Students and Children, you can download the Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Essay in the Hand Written Format by Clicking the Below Click Here Link.

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Essay

India is a democratic country where its citizens live freely however they have lots of rights and responsibilities towards their country. Rights and responsibilities are two sides of a coin and both go side to side. If we have rights we must have their corresponding responsibilities too. Rights and responsibilities go hand in hand with us where we live in whatever home, society, village, state, or country. Now-a-days, students gets assigned by their teachers to write some paragraphs or complete essay on any topic to enhance their English writing skill and knowledge as well as spread awareness. Following are some paragraphs, short essays and long essays on Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens to help students in completing their related task. All the Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens essay are written very simply. So, you can select any essay according to your need and requirement:

Long and Short Essay on Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens in English

Rights and responsibilities of citizens essay 1 (100 words).

Citizen is the person who lives as an inhabitant in any village or city of the state and country. We all are citizen of our country and have various rights and responsibilities towards our village, city, society, state and country. Rights and duties of each citizen are very valuable and inter-related. Every state or country provides its citizens some fundamental civil rights such as personal rights, religious rights, social rights, moral rights, economic rights and political rights. As a citizen of the country we are morally and legally required to complete our duties always together. We should love and respect each other and live together without any difference. We are expected to sacrifice time to time in order to protect our country.

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Essay 2 (150 words)

Citizens living in the country must know their rights and responsibilities. Understanding all the rules and regulation presented by the government may help every citizen in completing their responsibilities towards country. We must understand our rights for our own well being and freedom in the country as well as serve for the communities and country. The constitution of India (called as supreme law of India) came into force in 1950 on 26 January which has given democratic rights to the Indian citizen. According to the Indian constitution, people of India have various rights and responsibilities.

There are around six fundamental rights of the Indian citizens without which no one can live in the democratic manner. Means, democracy in the country can work only if its citizens have rights. Such rights prevent the government from being dictatorial and cruel. Fundamental rights help people in their moral, material and personality development. In case of rights violations of someone, courts can protect and safeguard them. There are some fundamental responsibilities too for the peace and prosperity of the country.

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Essay 3 (200 words)

Fundamental rights of the Indian citizens are given to them for the basic and essential conditions of good life for their progress. Without such rights no Indian citizen can develop his/her personality and confidence. These fundamental rights are preserved in the Indian Constitution. Fundamental rights are protected and guaranteed to the citizens by supreme law while ordinary rights by the ordinary law. Fundamental rights of the citizens are not violable in ordinary situation however in some reasonable circumstances they can be suspended but temporarily.

Six fundamental rights according to the Indian constitution are Right to Equality (Article 14 – Article 18), Right to Religion (Articles 25 – Article 28), Right against Exploitation (Articles 23 – Article 24), Right to Culture and Education (Articles 29 – Article 30), Right to Freedom (Articles 19 – Article 22), and Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32). Citizens enjoy their fundamental rights living anywhere in the country. He/she can go to the court for legal assistance in case his/her rights are violated by force. There are various responsibilities too of the good citizens which everyone must follow in order to improve surroundings and get inner peace. Fulfilling responsibilities towards country gives sense of ownership for the country. Being a good citizen of the country, we should not waste electricity, water, natural resources, public property, etc. We should follow all the rules and laws as well as pay tax timely.

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Essay 4 (250 words)

Fundamental rights given to the Indian citizens are essential part of the Constitution. Such fundamental rights can be altered by the Parliament using special procedure. No person other than Indian citizen is allowed to enjoy such rights except right to liberty, life, and personal property. Other fundamental rights except right to life and personal liberty can be suspended during time of emergency. If any citizen found his/her rights violated can go to the court (Supreme Court and High Court) for enforcement. Some fundamental rights are positive or negative in nature and always become superior to the ordinary laws. Some fundamental rights like freedom of speech, assembly, cultural right and educational rights are limited to citizens only.

There were no fundamental duties preserved in the Constitution of India when it came into force in 1950. However, ten fundamental duties (covered by Article 51 A) were added in the 42 nd Amendment of the Constitution of India in 1976. Following are the fundamental responsibilities of the Indian citizens:

• Indian citizen must respect their National Flag and the National Anthem.
• They must respect, value and follow all the noble ideals used in the national struggle for freedom.
• They must to protect the power, unity and integrity of the country.
• They guard the country and maintain the spirit of common brotherhood.
• They must protect and preserve the cultural heritage sites.
• They must protect, preserve and improve the natural environment.
• They must safeguard the public property.
• They should develop scientific temper and spirit of inquiry.
• They must work hard to get excellence in every area of individual and collective activity.

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Essay 5 (300 words)

Fundamental duties of the Indian citizens are mentioned in the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution of India in 1976. All the responsibilities are very important and necessary for the vital interest of country. They can be civic duties or moral duties which cannot be enforced legally upon the citizens even by the courts. One cannot be punished if he/she is not performing his/her duties as there is no legal force governing these duties. Fundamental duties (right to equality, right to freedom, right against exploitation, right to freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights and right to constitutional remedies) are the integral part of Constitution of India having moral impact and educative value upon the Indian citizens. Inclusion of such responsibilities to the Constitution is important for the progress, peace and prosperity of the country.

Some of the fundamental responsibilities mentioned in the Constitution of India are like respect to the National Flag, the National Anthem, citizens must defend their country, commit to provide National service whenever required, safeguard the public property, etc. Such rights and responsibilities are very important for National interest of the country however not forcefully enforced to the people. In order to completely enjoy the rights, people must perform their responsibilities towards country in a well manner as rights and responsibilities are related to each other. As we get rights our responsibilities increases too towards individual and social welfare. Both are not separable and vital regarding prosperity of country.

As a good citizen of the country, we need to know and learn our all the rights and duties for the welfare of our society and country. We need to understand that all of us are responsible for good or bad condition of the society. We need to change our thinking into action to bring some positive effect in our society and country. If the individual action performed by a person can change the life; why not, our collaborative actions have positive effects over the society and country. So, the duties of citizens matters a lot for the prosperity and peace of society and entire country.

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Essay 6 (400 words)

As we are a social animal, we have lots of responsibilities for the development as well as bring prosperity and peace in the society and country. In order to fulfill our responsibilities we have given some rights by the Constitution of India. Rights are very necessary given to the citizens for their individual development and improve the social life. Democratic system of the country is completely based on the freedom of its citizens to enjoy their rights. Rights given by our Constitution are called as Fundamental Rights which cannot be taken back from us in normal times. Our Constitution gives us six rights such as:

• Right to Freedom: It is very important fundamental right which makes people able to express their thoughts and ideas through speech, writing or other means. According to this right, a person is free to cherish, criticize or speak against the governmental policies. He/she is free to carry on any business in any corner of the country.
• Right to Freedom of Religion: There are many states in the country where people of various religions live together. Each one of us is free to practice, propagate and follow any religion we like. No one has right to interfere with the faith of anybody.
• Right to Equality: Citizens living in India are equal and have no any difference and discrimination between rich and poor or high and low. A person of any religion, caste, creed, sex or place can get the highest position in office for which he/she has ability and required qualifications
• Right to Education and Culture: Every child has right to education and he/she can get education in any institution up to any level.
• Right against Exploitation: No one has right to force anybody to work without wages or against his/her wish or children below 14 years of age.
• Right to Constitutional Remedies: It is the most important one which protects all the fundamental rights. If someone feels that his/her rights are being harmed in any condition he/she can approach to the court seeking justice.

As we know that both, duties and rights go side by side. Our rights are meaningless without duties thus both are inseparable. We do not have right to get benefited with rights if we do not follow our duties properly for the smooth running of country. As being the citizen of the country, our responsibilities and duties are:

• We must respect the National Flag and National Anthem.
• We should respect and obey the laws of our country.
• We should enjoy rights and freedom under the limit without interfering with freedom and rights of others.
• We should be ready to protect our country whenever required.
• We should respect and protect national property and public property (such as railways, post-offices, bridges, roadways, schools, colleges, historical buildings, places, forests, etc).
• We should pay our taxes with honesty in timely manner.

Related Posts

Money essay, music essay, importance of education essay, education essay, newspaper essay, my hobby essay, leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Essay

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Essay In English - 1400 in words

India is a democratic country, where citizens live with complete freedom, however, they have many obligations towards their country. Rights and obligations are two sides of the same coin and both go hand in hand. If we have rights, we also have certain obligations associated with those rights. Wherever we are living, whether it is home, society, village, state or country, rights and responsibilities go step by step with us.

Short and Long Essay on Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens in English

Essay 1 (250 words).

Fundamental rights have been given to Indian citizens for the essential and basic conditions of a good life. Without such rights no Indian citizen can develop his personality and self-confidence. These fundamental rights are enshrined in the Indian Constitution. The fundamental rights of citizens are protected by the supreme law, whereas the common rights are protected by the common law. Fundamental rights of citizens cannot be infringed, although in certain circumstances they can be temporarily suspended for some time.

6 Fundamental Rights as per the Indian Constitution; Right to Equality (Article 14 to Article 18), Right to Freedom of Religion (Article 25 to Article 28), Right against Exploitation (Article 23 and 24), Right to Culture and Education (Article 29 and 30), Right to Freedom Right (Article 19 to Article 22), Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32). Citizens can take advantage of their rights, living in any part of the country.

If someone's rights are taken away by forcing the person, then that person can take refuge in the court to protect his rights. Good citizens also have many duties, which should be followed by all, in order to improve the environment around them and attain inner peace. Fulfilling their duties towards the country provides a sense of ownership of the country. As a good citizen of the country, we should not waste electricity, water, natural resources, public property. We must comply with all the rules and laws as well as pay the tax on time.

Essay 2 (300 words)

You might also like:.

• A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed Essay
• Acid Rain Essay
• Adult Education Essay
• Essay On Adventure

Fundamental rights given to citizens are an essential part of the constitution. Such Fundamental Rights can be changed by using special process of Parliament. Except for the right to liberty, life, and private property, these rights are not allowed to any person other than Indian citizens. Except the right to life and the right to personal liberty, all other fundamental rights are suspended during the Emergency.

If a citizen feels that his rights are being violated, then that person can go to the court (Supreme Court and High Court) to protect his rights. Some fundamental rights are positive in nature and some are negative in nature and are always supreme in common law. certain fundamental rights; For example, the right to freedom of expression, organizing celebrations, cultural and education is limited only to the citizens.

When the Constitution came into effect in 1950, at this time there was no fundamental duty in the Constitution of India. After this, during the 42nd constitutional amendment in 1976, ten fundamental duties (under Article 51A) were added to the Indian Constitution. Following are the fundamental duties of Indian citizens:

• Indian citizens should respect the national flag and the national anthem.
• We should respect the values ​​of the ideas followed during the freedom struggle.
• We should protect the strength, unity and integrity of the country.
• We should maintain brotherhood along with protecting the country.
• We must preserve and protect our cultural heritage sites.
• We must protect, preserve and improve the natural environment.
• We should protect public property.
• We must develop the spirit of scientific discoveries and enquiry.
• We must excel in every sphere of individual and collective activity.

Essay 3 (400 words)

Fundamental Duties of Indian Citizens were added to the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment in 1976. All the responsibilities are very important and necessary for the interest of the country. The citizens of the country cannot be compelled legally, even by a court of law, to perform civic duties or moral duties.

If a person is not performing the fundamental duties, then he/she cannot be punished because, there is no law to get these duties performed. Fundamental rights (right to equality, right to liberty, right against exploitation, right to freedom of religion, right to culture and education and right to constitutional remedies) are integral part of the Indian Constitution. The inclusion of some such duties in the constitution is important for the progress, peace and prosperity of the country.

Some of the Fundamental Duties included in the Indian Constitution; To respect the national flag, national anthem, citizens should protect their country, whenever needed, they should be committed to national service, should protect public property, etc. Such fundamental duties are very important for the national interest of the country, however, people cannot be compelled to obey them. In order to fully enjoy the rights, people must perform their duties towards their country properly, as rights and duties are interlinked. As soon as we get rights, our responsibilities towards personal and social welfare also increase. Both are not separate from each other and are important for the prosperity of the country.

• Air Pollution Essay
• Animals Essay
• Abdul Kalam Essay
• Bal Swachhta Abhiyan Essay

As a good citizen of the country, we need to know and learn our rights and duties for the welfare of the society and the country. We need to understand that, all of us are responsible for the good and bad condition of the society. To bring some positive effects in the society and the country, we need to convert our thinking into action. If life can be changed through individual actions, then why collective efforts made in the society cannot bring positive impact in the country and the whole society. Therefore, the duties of citizens are of utmost importance for the prosperity and peace of the society and the country as a whole.

Essay 4 (600 words)

We are a social animal, we have many responsibilities to bring development, prosperity and peace in the society and the country. To fulfill our responsibilities, certain rights have been given to us by the Constitution of India. It is very necessary to give rights to citizens for personal development and improvement in social life. The democracy system of the country is completely based on the freedom of the citizens of the country. The rights given by the constitution are called fundamental rights, which cannot be taken away from us in normal times. Our constitution provides us with 6 fundamental rights:

• right to freedom; It is a very important fundamental right, which enables people to express their views through speeches, by writing or by other means. According to this right, a person is free to criticize, criticize or speak against government policies. He is free to do any business in any corner of the country.
• Right to freedom of religion; There are many states in the country where people of different religions live together. All of us are free to profess, practice, propagate and follow any religion of our choice. No one has the right to interfere in anyone's religious belief.
• the right to equality; Citizens living in India are equal and there is no discrimination and difference between rich and poor, high and low. A person of any religion, caste, tribe, place can achieve high position in any office, he only possesses the necessary qualifications and qualifications.
• Right to education and culture; Every child has the right to education and that child can get education at any level in any institution.
• right against exploitation; No one can compel anyone against his/her will or a child below 14 years of age to work without any wages or pay.
• Right to constitutional remedies; This is the most important right. This right is called the soul of the constitution, as it protects all the rights of the constitution. If anyone feels in any situation, that his rights have been harmed, then he can go to the court for justice.

As we all know, rights and duties go hand in hand. Our rights are meaningless without duties, thus both are inspirational. If we do not perform our duties to make the country run smoothly on the path of progress, then we have no right to get the benefits of our fundamental rights. The following are our duties and responsibilities as citizens of the country:

• We should respect our national flag and national anthem.
• We should follow and respect the law of the land.
• We should enjoy our rights without interfering with the freedom of others.
• We should always be ready to defend our country when required.
• We must respect and protect the national heritage and public property (railways, post offices, bridges, roads, schools, universities, historical buildings, sites, forests, forests etc.).
• We should pay our taxes on time correctly.
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Essay
• Bio-Diversity Essay
• Black Money Essay
• Cashless India Essay

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Essay In English