Key Content: Attributes shaping citizenship
Legal Status
Sense of Identity
Participation in Public Affairs
CITIZEN & CITIZENSHIP
WHO IS A CITIZEN?
People who belong to a country.
Encompasses legal definitions, and also other qualities or attributes.
WHAT IS CITIZENSHIP?
Citizenship is the status of a person recognized under the custom or law as being a legal member of a sovereign state or part of a nation.
A person may have multiple citizenships, and a person who does not have citizenship of any sovereign state is said to be stateless.
Those without citizenship status, such as refugees, would be without the rights accorded to citizens and may find it difficult to integrate and develop a bond with other citizens.
Being a citizen of a country entails certain rights (e.g. Access to public education and freedom to practice your religion) and responsibilities (e.g. Protecting the country and observing the laws of the country).
(1) LEGAL STATUS
There are serval ways an individual obtains citizenship. Only
By descent: born in Singapore with at least a Singaporean parent.
By naturalization: has immigrated to and lived in Singapore for a number of years.
By marriage: marries a Singaporean.
By country of birth: born in Singapore but neither parent is a Singaporean. (Not recognised in Singapore).
Before becoming a Singapore citizen trough marriage or naturalisation, one has to first become a Permanent Resident (PR).
Every citizen has legal rights that come with privileges, and also responsibilities to fulfill.
RIGHTS OF A CITIZEN
Rights are liberties that citizens in a country have that are protected by law.
The Singapore constitution specifies the rights of a citizen and protects their well-being.
It states that no citizen will be discriminated against on grounds of religion, race, descent or place of birth, right to education and freedom of speech.
E.g. Article 15 in the Constitution of Singapore protects the right of people to practice their religion.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CITIZEN
Refers to the duties of a person.
Citizens fulfil these responsibilities because we are connected to other members in the community.
In Singapore, all citizens are expected to contribute towards continued peace and prosperity of the nation.
By having the responsibility to obeying the law and not discriminating against other people.
By participating in meaningful causes and national duties.
By voting responsibly.
E.g. The Enlistment Act requires able bodied male Singaporeans to serve National Service duty to keep Singapore safe and secure.
(2) IDENTITY
Citizenship can be shaped by a sense of identity such as sharing aspects of a common way of life and feeling strongly about similar things.
Common practices can help to shape a common sense of identity
Taking the National Pledge
Singing the National Anthem
Taking part in events such as National Day Celebrations.
Having a common sense of identity is important to ensure peace and harmony in Singapore as it allows us to bond and treat people equally. We will care for our fellow citizens despite being a national of different races and ethnicities.
(3) PARTICIPATION
Citizenship can also be shaped by participation in public affairs through different avenues and forms, such as volunteering to help the less fortunate in society.
Active participation and being socially involved in the community allow us to be aware of the needs of the community and how we as individuals might be able to help and contribute to the improvement of our society.
E.g. Volunteers of the Soka Volunteer Group (SVG) support both ad-hoc community events and regular service with various Volunteer Welfare Organisations (VWOs).
*Take note:
Having a sense of common identity and belonging to Singapore creates the desire to be involved in the affairs of the country and make it a better place to live in.
By active participation and being socially involved in the community, one's sense of common identity and belonging to Singapore is also strengthened.
This is a reinforcing loop, where identity and participation can affect and strengthen each other.
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