All Americans have the rights afforded to them as American citizens. Children need to learn about citizenship to be successful when they are older. Learning about others and their needs broadens your perspective. The United States Constitution was adopted to ensure equality for all regardless of race, sex, disability, or social status. The most urgent responsibility missing is sacrifice. Many Americans expect to be granted rights but are unwilling to make a personal sacrifice to obtain them. To preserve rights and freedoms, American citizens have three primary responsibilities: education, equality, and selfless service. The first responsibility is education. Many parents begin this process when the child is very young. Children learn values ​​before they even know what they are. As the child grows, he becomes more aware of what is expected of him. Learning that he is in control of his words and actions and that his words and actions influence others. When he lies there are consequences that follow. Sharing is taught as a way to show respect towards others. Not getting what she wants when she wants it teaches her self-control. Children learn responsibility if they know what is expected of them. The most basic education forms the foundation for building successful young citizens. Free formal education is provided as the child continues to grow and expand his or her mind. In America there is a growing separation in how children receive their education. In “A Tale of Two Schools: How Poor Children Are Lost in the World,” many schools lack the resources to meet national standards. Mainly inner-city schools have classrooms with outdated technology and too many children in class. Even teachers are n......middle of paper......they don't want to take on responsibilities that there wouldn't be any. People gave their lives to protect the freedoms of this nation. Citizens must realize and understand that the rights and freedoms of this country are maintained and supported by fulfilling three responsibilities: education, equality, and personal sacrifice. Works Cited Adams, John and Abigail Adams. "Letters." Selzer. 253-55. Print.Douglass, Federico. "What, to the slave, is the Fourth of July?" Selzer. 229-48. Print.Kozol, Jonathan. "A Tale of Two Schools: How Poor Children Get Lost in the World." Selzer. 142-45. Print.Selzer, Jack, ed. Argument in America: Essential Issues, Essential Texts. NY: Longman, 2004. Print. Stanton, Elizabeth C. "The Seneca Falls Declaration." Selzer. 262-67. Press. Where we stand in America: Schools in the 21st century. PBS, 2008. Web. 6 February. 2011.