My Rights and Responsibilities

• Explain that every right has corresponding responsibilities as a member of the community.

• Enumerate the rights and responsibilities of a child.

• Defferentiate rights from responsibility.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Children guarantees the following rights of children all over the world:

1. The right to be born with dignity

 The right to life is the basis of all rights. Without this right, it is impossible to enjoy all other rights. This is a right to which a person is entitled by birth. Also, it includes the protection of every part of the body as well as protection of the unborn. Thus, abortion and hurting the newborn are prohibited.

2. The right to have a family

The family as the basic unit of society plays a very important role in a child’s life. It carries the great responsibility of taking care, loving, nurturing, protecting, and guiding the child. The family should give him/her guidance and supervision and ensure his/her moral and financial security.

3. The right to a decent standard of living

The child has the right to sufficient and balanced meals, decent clothing, good health, adequate shelter, and clean environment. It is the primary duty of the state to provide for the basic needs of the child. The state should promote proper health and adequate education to prepare the child to become a responsible and productive citizen of the community and the country.

4. The right to grow

The child has the right to grow in an environment with high moral values. The state should help the child grow into a responsible citizen who values human dignity. The family, the school, the church, and the community have active roles in the moral development of the child. The child should be raised to practice good values.

5. The right to develop one’s potential

The child has the right to become a productive member of the society.

a. The gifted child should be given more opportunities to improve his/her talents.

b. The physically challenged child should receive medical treatment and education according to his/her capacity. The child’s welfare should also be secured.

c. Children caught in the crossfire of two warring factions should be protectively rescued.

6. The right to play

A child needs rest and recreation to grow up healthy and happy. His/her social skills should also be developed to enable him/her to

become an active member of society who can participate in worthwhile and productive activities.

7. The right to be protected

The child has the right to be protected against exploitation and influences of dangerous conditions that could affect his/her well-being. The child should be protected against child abuse. He/She must not be maltreated or neglected by adult individuals. If he/she enjoys this right in life then he/she becomes a productive citizen of the country. For every right being enjoyed by a citizen of the Philippines, it has corresponding responsibility. 

A balance between the enjoyment of rights and the performance of responsibilities is very important for democracy to work. When balance is maintained and sustained smoothly, the government becomes strong and stable and the country grows and develops.

1. Taking Care of One’s Health

Good health is a vital foundation of life for the pursuit of happiness. It is one’s responsibility to take care of one’s health. Health

is wealth. Citizens with good health can contribute to the development of the country. By being fit and healthy, they can develop their skills, talents, abilities, and potentials to the maximum, thus serving as effective human resources of the country.

2. Developing One’s Skills and Talents

The development of the skills and talents of the citizenry is very important. A Filipino who contributes to the development of the

country has self-confidence. He/She believes in his/her capacity to improve and share his/her expertise to help others. He/She develops these skills through constant training and practice. When you help yourselves become productive and useful, you also help your family, community, and country.

3. Showing Loyalty to the Country

Every citizen should be loyal to his/her country. One can show this\ loyalty by respecting the symbols of one’s country like the Philippine flag. Everyone should respect and sing the Philippine National Anthem. Loyalty to the country also means preserving its traditions, customs, language, and other institutions of Filipino culture.

4. Promoting Our Country’s Culture

The Philippines has a very rich culture. The culture unites the Filipinos and gives its people national pride and identity. The culture

should be reflected in everyday lives, so it is one’s duty to lead lives worthy of emulation and praise not only from fellow Filipinos, but also from foreigners. A progressive country has citizens who appreciate their culture. They also take pride in the achievements and

accomplishments of their fellowmen who have excelled in different fields of culture—language, arts, sports, tourism, dance, literature,

education, and religion.

5. Obeying Laws and Cooperating with Elected Officials

Laws are made to establish peace and order in the community as well as in the country. There would be disorder, confusion, and chaos

if laws are not respected and obeyed. It is the foremost duty of the citizens to obey the laws of the land. These laws can only be

implemented fairly and effectively if everyone would cooperate with the government officials and law enforcers. Everyone should also report any crime or untoward incident to the proper authorities for prompt response and action.

6. Patronizing Philippine-made Products

Patronizing our own products is one way of contributing to the development of the country. It strengthens the local industries and

helps generate more jobs for Filipinos. Patronizing own products also decreases the amount of foreign goods imported in the country, thus, saving the dollar reserves for more worthwhile endeavors. When people buy one’s own products, they also show love and concern for their country and to their fellowmen. They also preserve and promote the country’s culture and national identity. This instills the pride in being Filipinos.

7. Taking Care of Government Properties

The government constructs hospitals, health centers, schools, roads, highways, museums, libraries, playgrounds, and public

buildings to serve the people better and respond to their needs. Funds for the construction of these public buildings and facilities come from the government, so they become public properties. All people have equal rights to these properties because they pay taxes, which is the source of government funds. It is the responsibility of the citizens to help the government to wisely and responsibly maintain the cleanliness and good condition of these properties.