cCitizenship attitude building
= being a citizen involves understanding one’s role as a member of the community or
nation and acting with responsibility. A special role is built upon a certain set of
attitudes. Attitudes are predisposition to behavior. Education is accountable to society to
produce good citizens. The word citizen is basically a political term. It is the politics in
the global context. Thus a good citizen thinks globally and acts locally. Citizenship need
not always be interpreted in a parochial narrow sense as blind obedience to the
immediate political forces.
In promoting citizenship a school needs a clear model of it both in terms of local and
global needs. With that picture in mind they have to draw education programs within the
curriculum. Peace education basically attempts developing peaceful attitudes in the
future citizen. Good citizenship is built upon the following attitudes anywhere in the
world.
An example of building citizenship attitude can be seen through volunteering in the local
community. By participating in activities such as cleaning up parks, organizing food
drives, or tutoring students, individuals can demonstrate a sense of responsibility
towards their community.
Additionally, showing respect and consideration for others is essential in building a
citizenship attitude. This can be done by treating others with kindness, helping those in
need, and actively listening to others’ opinions and perspectives.
Furthermore, engaging in civic participation is another way to develop a citizenship
attitude. This can involve attending local government meetings, participating in
community events, or even running for elected positions. By taking an active role in
community decision-making, individuals contribute to the overall wellbeing and
development of their community.
Overall, building a citizenship attitude involves actively participating in community
activities, showing respect and consideration towards others, and taking part in local
decision-making processes. These examples demonstrate a commitment to being a
responsible and engaged citizen.
1. Patriotism is the ground on which citizenship and democracy are based. A person is
obliged to perform his duties because of his love for the community and country. It is a
basic attachment to nation beyond the present interest of the government in power. In it
there, is general willingness to co-operate with the nation’s effort for advancement.
One example of patriotism is when individuals proudly display the flag of their country
on national holidays or special occasions. This act of showing respect and loyalty to
one’s country symbolizes a deep sense of pride and love for their nation. Additionally,
people may actively participate in community service projects or serve in the armed
forces as a way to contribute to and protect their country, which can also be seen as
acts of patriotism.
2. Productivity is the degree of contribution a citizen makes towards the development
of one’s society. A good citizen does not want to be a burden on his people. He or she
thinks in terms of “What can I give to the country?” not in terms of “What can I get from
the country?”
One example of productivity in a community is a community garden. A community
garden is a shared space where individuals come together to grow and maintain a
garden. This can be done in a residential neighborhood, a school, or any other
communal area.
In a community garden, individuals work collectively to cultivate and harvest fruits,
vegetables, and flowers. Each person contributes their skills, knowledge, and effort to
ensure the garden’s success. This includes tasks such as planting seeds, watering
plants, weeding, and maintaining the overall health of the garden.
By participating in a community garden, individuals not only have access to fresh
produce but also develop essential skills and knowledge about gardening and
sustainable practices. They learn about the different types of plants and how to care for
them throughout the seasons. This knowledge can be shared with other community
members, promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Moreover, community gardens foster a sense of belonging and social connection among
participants. People come together, work side by side, and share experiences, stories,
and knowledge. This sense of community promotes social interaction and builds
relationships, transforming a simple gardening activity into a platform for connection and
support.
Additionally, community gardens can have positive environmental impacts. They
promote sustainable practices such as composting, water conservation, and organic
gardening methods. By growing their food locally, communities reduce their carbon
footprint, lessen the need for transportation, and contribute to a more sustainable food
system.
Overall, community gardens are a prime example of productivity in a community. They
bring people together, foster personal growth, promote sustainable practices, and
contribute to a stronger, more connected community.
3. Civic responsibility is the consciousness of one’s duties towards the society in day-
to-day life as well in long term perspective, e.g. being informed about the current
political and other issues, abstaining from disturbing the peace of the neighborhood,
protection of public property, participation in community building activities.
A civic responsibility Is the duty of individuals to actively participate in the affairs of their
community and contribute to the well-being of society.
An example of civic responsibility is voting in elections. By exercising their right to vote,
individuals contribute to the democratic process and help shape the direction of their
community and nation. Other examples of civic responsibilities include volunteering in
local organizations, serving on community boards or committees, paying taxes,
reporting crimes or suspicious activities, obeying laws and regulations, and respecting
the rights and opinions of others.
4. Interest in contemporary community, national and global issues
A citizen takes interest to seek information on the issues affecting his or her society at
every level. Today there is a global tendency developing towards individualism. One of
the seeming dysfunction of this tendency is selfishness, which drives people to pay less
care or no care to social issues and duties. Elders often criticize the youth as being
increasingly disinterested in the problems of their society.
One example of a contemporary community, national, and global issue is climate
change and environmental sustainability.
At the community level, this issue could manifest in various ways. For instance,
communities might face increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as
hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, which can result in displacement, property damage,
and loss of life. Additionally, communities could experience deteriorating air and water
quality, affecting public health and quality of life.
At the national level, governments are grappling with how to reduce carbon emissions
and transition to renewable energy sources. This issue can be particularly contentious,
with debates about the economic impact of such measures and the responsibility of
different industries in addressing climate change.
On a global scale, climate change
One example of a contemporary community, national, and global issue is climate
change and environmental sustainability.
At the community level, this issue could manifest in various ways. For instance,
communities might face increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as
hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, which can result in displacement, property damage,
and loss of life. Additionally, communities could experience deteriorating air and water
quality, affecting public health and quality of life.
At the national level, governments are grappling with how to reduce carbon emissions
and transition to renewable energy sources. This issue can be particularly contentious,
with debates about the economic impact of such measures and the responsibility of
different industries in addressing climate change.
On a global scale, climate change is an issue that affects all countries and requires
international cooperation. Negotiations and agreements, such as the Paris Agreement,
aim to set goals and strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change. However,
challenges include balancing the interests and responsibilities of both developed and
developing nations, as well as addressing the social and economic disparities that can
arise from climate change impacts.
Overall, climate change and environmental sustainability is a pressing issue that affects
communities, nations, and the entire world, with implications for social, economic, and
environmental well-being.
5. Active participation in community building a citizen is bound by duty to participate
actively in community building according to his or her best capacities.
The convention on the rights of the child lays great stress on the need of recognizing
children’s right to participate in community life and development through seeking
information, expressing views and opinions through equal access to opportunity for
personal development and cultural activities and education.
Active participation in community building and environmental protection is the most
effective way of developing children’s attitudes and interest on responsible citizenship.
An example of active participation in community building could be organizing a
neighborhood clean-up event. This involves reaching out to fellow community members,
local businesses, and relevant authorities to coordinate a day dedicated to cleaning up
the neighborhood.
To start, you can create flyers or post online to gather volunteers. Additionally, you can
reach out to local businesses for donations of cleaning supplies, trash bags, and
refreshments. Collaborating with local authorities, such as the municipality or waste
management department, can help to ensure proper disposal of collected waste.
On the day of the event, you can rally the volunteers, distribute cleaning supplies, and
assign tasks. During the clean-up, you can engage with participants by actively working
alongside them and encouraging teamwork. This fosters a sense of community spirit
and togetherness.
After the clean-up, you can have a small gathering or mini-celebration to thank the
volunteers for their hard work, highlight the achievements of the event, and discuss
future community-building projects. It is important to recognize the contributions of all
participants and express gratitude for their active involvement.
By organizing and actively participating in such community-building activities, you
contribute to the improvement and overall well-being of the neighborhood. This not only
creates a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing environment but also strengthens
community bonds, cultivates a sense of pride, and promotes a safer and healthier living
space for everyone involved.
6. Cultural enrichment A good citizen is a cultured person in that he disciplined by the
rich qualities of his culture as well as the global culture. Educationally speaking, children
at the beginning need to be nurtured and disciplined by their own cultures. As they grow
up they should be exposed to other cultures as well, so that they can appreciate and
learn from them to be world citizen.
An example of cultural enrichment could be participating in a traditional dance class
from another culture. This could involve learning the steps and movements that are
unique to that specific culture’s dance style, and gaining an understanding of the history
and significance behind the dance. By engaging in this activity, individuals can expand
their knowledge of different cultures, appreciate the diversity of dance forms, and
develop a deeper connection and appreciation for the cultural traditions of others.
7. Obedience to law
A citizen is necessarily one who abides by the law of his country. Here by law we mean
the established code of law. Justice is the source of rightful law. However a citizen tries
to rectify law when they happen to be unjust as it happens sometimes. School need to
develop law consciousness in children. It is a striking fact that many school syllabi are
silent about social justice and the civic laws.
An example of obedience to law is when individuals comply with traffic laws and
regulations. This includes following speed limits, stopping at red lights and stop signs,
and using turn signals when changing lanes or making a turn. By adhering to these
laws, individuals demonstrate obedience to the law and contribute to the safety and
smooth flow of traffic.
8. National coherence
A citizen living in a multicultural society preserves the national unity by respecting and
giving due to recognition and rights to all the sectors of people in spite of their
differences of ethnicity, language, religion and class. Social diversity has to be viewed
as an opportunity of social and cultural enrichment. Today many countries are
becoming plural societies. Education is considered an effective means of promoting
national harmony. To meet this need teachers have to be equipped to respond to ethnic
and cultural diversities of students in schools. The curriculum has to be reconsidered in
the light of multicultural needs.
A notable example of national coherence in the Philippines is during times of natural
disasters, such as typhoons or earthquakes. During these emergencies, people from
different regions and social backgrounds come together to provide assistance and
support to affected communities.
In the aftermath of devastating Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which claimed thousands of
lives and caused widespread destruction, there was a remarkable display of national
coherence. People from all walks of life, including government agencies, local
communities, NGOs, and private organizations, mobilized their resources and efforts to
help the affected areas. There were nationwide donation drives, relief operations, and
volunteers traveling from various parts of the country to provide aid, rebuild
infrastructure, and offer emotional support.
The spirit of national coherence was further exemplified in the Bayanihan (community
spirit of unity and cooperation) shown by Filipinos. Many individuals and groups
organized fundraising events, medical missions
9. Simple living
The need for simple living has never been felt in such a degree before as it is now. All
the commercial forces press us to buy their products. They create new needs. In us
through their strong machinery of propaganda. The consequence is the ever growing
consumerist society that wastes natural resources in the production of unnecessary
goods only to satisfy the greed of people. They pollute the environment both during the
process of production and after their use, as heaps of garbage. Thus simple living is
nature friendly in every way. To live simply is to lead a life, outwardly, poor but inwardly
rich.
One simple living example is minimizing your possessions. This means only keeping
items that are essential and bring value to your life, while decluttering and getting rid of
things that are no longer needed or used. By doing this, you can have a more organized
and peaceful living space, easier maintenance and cleaning, and reduce the desire to
constantly buy and accumulate more stuff. Additionally, minimizing possessions can
help save money, as you will not be spending on unnecessary purchases. It also
promotes mindful consumption and a focus on experiences and relationships rather
than material possessions
10. Democracy
Is interpreted in different forms in different countries. However the basic features in
democracy are freedom of speech, public participation in governance through
representatives, tolerance of differences and respect for human rights. In addition , a
democracy can be evaluated by the degree of public confidence, voluntary compliance
with the law, party activism, voluntary organization, activism, and political discussion. In
a country, democracy emerges essentially from the ways people adopt in their lifestyle
and administration of social institutes, For instance, children learn democracy by the
way home, school and classroom are managed. (Balasooriya, 2001)
An example of democracy in the Philippines is the election of public officials. The
country holds regular elections to choose its leaders at national, regional, and local
levels. Citizens aged 18 and above have the right to vote, and candidates from different
political parties compete for various positions, including the president, senators,
congressmen, governors, mayors, and councilors.
During elections, Filipinos exercise their democratic right to choose their representatives
through a free and fair electoral process. They have the opportunity to evaluate
candidates’ qualifications, platforms, and track records and then cast their votes based
on their preferences. The candidates with the highest number of votes are declared
winners and assume their respective positions.
Through this democratic process, the Philippines allows the voices and choices of its
citizens to shape the government and its policies. It is a fundamental aspect of the
democratic principles upon which the country is built, ensuring the people’s participation
in the decision-making processes and holding their elected leaders accountable.
