Many of the people who are in the public eye and recognized as good citizens deserve their accolades. However, a good citizen cannot be defined solely by a person's image or level of popularity.
Interestingly, one classmate said that good citizens feel a sense of personal gratification when they help someone. Deriving personal gratification from helping someone is admirable, but an impossible standard to measure. Plus, even the most stalwart good citizen grows frustrated with local bureaucracies and derives little personal gratification from some of their work. Deriving personal gratification from helping others does, however, suggest that the good citizen must act out of a sense of duty and not out of a desire for fame or fortune.
Classmates implied that being a good citizen is important for creating a high quality of life for all members of the community. Some said that being a good citizen is its own reward: that helping others creates a strong and unparalleled sense of personal gratification. Being a good citizen also sets standards for behaviors and helps solidify social norms. A group of citizens who care about the quality of life in their community are less likely to tolerate deviant behaviors, and are more likely to help maintain law and order. When social norms break down and fail to provide guidelines for good behavior, then few individuals will be motivated to be good citizens. Good citizens help others become good citizens. The importance of being a good citizen is that acting in the best interests of the community benefits everyone.
During our discussions, a few classmates mentioned that voting or running for office were standards of being a good citizen. We can all agree that voting alone is not a sufficient parameter of what makes a good citizen. Likewise, a person can still be a good citizen and not vote in a certain election. Serving the community...
Some community leaders and politicians are exemplary citizens and make a definite positive mark on the community. Others become tainted by greed and corruption and are among the worst citizens of all.
None of the classmates mentioned ancillary issues to being a good citizen, which I believe are essential. Based on the class interviews, I have come up with a principle list of specific features that help illustrate good citizenship. First, education is necessary to being a good citizen. A person does not have to go to college to be a good citizen or even do well in school. Instead, education means learning about the history of the community, understanding the issues before casting a ballot, and knowing why certain laws are in place. Understanding the basic ways local, state, and federal governments operate is crucial for being a good citizen. Being a good citizen also requires a basic knowledge and appreciation of geography, history, culture, and politics.
Second, caring for the environment is a core standard of good citizenship. No one who pollutes can be considered a good citizen. A good citizen minimizes waste, recycles when possible, and helps keep the community clean. Good citizens appreciate local green spaces. They walk and ride their bicycles when possible instead of driving unnecessarily. The reason why caring for the environment is essential to being a good citizen is that caring for the environment makes the community a better place to live for all residents. Third, good citizens are those who spend their dollars wisely. They support ethical and especially local businesses when possible. Finally, a good citizen is one who encourages diversity. In the United States especially, diversity strengthens communities. A good citizen welcomes diversity of language, religion, sexual orientation, and culture.
