Life Skills
Teens (Ages 12-15)
15 min
Your Responsibilities — What's Expected of You
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1
The Hook
Imagine playing your favorite video game, but one player decides the rules don't apply to them. It ruins the game for everyone. Living in a community is a lot like that. We all have to follow a shared set of rules for things to work. These aren't just about what you can't do. They are about what we all agree to do to make life better and fairer for everyone.
2
The Real Talk
Living in a society is like a deal, sometimes called a social contract. You get rights and protections, like access to public schools, safe roads, and emergency services. In return, you have responsibilities. They are two sides of the same coin.Here's what that deal includes:Following Laws: This is the most basic part. Laws are the agreed-upon rules that keep people safe and ensure fairness. They aren't just for you; they protect you from others, too.Paying Taxes: When you get a job, a small part of your pay goes to the government. These taxes are mandatory payments that fund things everyone uses. Did you know the average cost to educate one student for a year in public school is thousands of dollars, all paid for by taxes?Respecting Others' Rights: Your right to swing your arms ends where...
3
The Story
Lucas (14) and his friends always cut through the community garden to save two minutes on their walk home. One day, they trampled some new plants without thinking much of it. Nobody saw them. The next week, a sign was posted on the garden fence: "Garden vandalized. We are volunteers, and this damage may force us to close permanently." Lucas felt a pit in his stomach. He never thought of it as vandalism. It was just a shortcut. He realized the garden wasn't just there; people built it and cared for it. That weekend, he anonymously left a few new seedlings by the gate with a note: "Sorry. I'll use the path from now on."
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Beginner
The lesson describes a 'social contract' as a deal where you get rights and protections from society. What does society expect from you in return?
A.Responsibilities, like following laws and paying taxes.
B.To use public services like schools and roads as much as possible.
C.A promise to never disagree with the government.
D.To volunteer for community service every weekend.
Beginner
Mei sees a sign at the park that says 'Please keep off the new grass.' She wants to get to the swings faster by taking a shortcut. According to the lesson, what is the most responsible action for Mei to take?
A.Run quickly across the grass so she doesn't damage it much.
B.Walk around the grass on the designated path.
C.Decide the rule is silly and ignore it since it's not a major law.
D.Wait until no one is looking to cross the grass.
Beginner
Which of the following is an example of a 'community contribution' as described in the lesson, rather than a legal requirement?
A.Stopping at a red light while driving.
B.Paying sales tax on a new video game.
C.Helping a neighbor carry their groceries inside.
D.Not taking someone else's property from their locker.
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