What+is+a+citizen?

​ As Theodore Roosevelt once said, "​The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his own weight. ” This is a statement that we can still refer to in today's definition of what a good citizen should be. However, it is necessary to first figure out what citizenship all entails. **Citizenship can be defined as: **
 * 1) the state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen
 * 2) the character of an individual viewed as a member of society; behavior in terms of the duties, obligations, and functions of a citizen
 * 3) A citizen is someone who consents to being governed

The definition of citizenship can be both individual and universal. In an individual sense everyone has an opinion on what it means to be a citizen and those definitions might not fit together. These definitions are usually more philosophical in nature such as "a citizen is someone who respects eve ryone and works to make their county a better place".Universally there are standard definitions that must be followed such as "a citizen is a native or naturalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection" which is a dictionary definition. The Government controls who becomes a citizen. To be a citizen in the US you must be born or become a citizen through naturalization. Generally speaking an applicant must be a US resident before applying to be naturalized.

**Some requirements of Naturalization according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: **  **The Perks of being a US Citizen: ** The perks of being a US Citizen are outlined in the Bill of Rights as well as in the way that the United States is run. The Bill of Rights outlines the freedoms we receive by being citizens and it also protects us from the government. There is religious freedom, freedom of speech and press, the right to privacy, the right to a fair trial and citizens are allowed to work towards their own betterment financially. <span style="color: #404040; font-family: Georgia,serif;"> <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">All rights afforeded to a person by being a citizen of The United States are limited based on other citizens right. For example a person can't gain wealth by stealing because that infringes on another person's right to their property or someone's search for happiness can be limited if it affected someones' right to life. An individual must also pay the government taxes and follow the laws in order to receive its protections and freedoms.
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">You have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years and meet all other eligibility requirements.
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">You have been a permanent resident for 3 years or less and meet all eligibility requirements to file as a spouse of a U.S. citizen.
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">You have qualifying service in the U.S. armed forces and meet all other eligibility requirements.
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Your child may qualify for naturalization if you are a U.S. citizen, the child was born outside the U.S., the child is currently residing outside the U.S., and all other eligibility requirements are met.
 * <span style="color: #a90a23; font-family: Georgia,serif;">What an Individual Must Give up in Order to be a Citizen: **