Personal Freedom, Rights and Responsibilities Notes

Some people would say that the Creator (God) or nature holds the origins of our rights.

‘Rights’ have often been fought over in wars and have not been a given since time began.

Ordinary citizens have often demonstrated  and lobbied for human rights throughout history.

Human rights historically is a relatively new concept. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights became legislation in 1948; not that long ago!

The United Nations came together to avoid a repetition of the world wars and the Holocaust, in order to protect the future citizens of the world. However, not all countries around the world are part of the United Nations, but they do hold quite a bit of global power collectively.

Rights are your equal basic entitlements as human beings. With rights come equal responsibilities to help ensure the protection of everyone’s rights. 

• The right to make personal conclusions and hear balanced arguments, with an understanding and knowledge that everyone has rights and responsibilities.
• The right to express your views within the context of a fair and equal society.
• The right to freedom of speech – with the responsibility not to offend or break the law.
• With rights comes an understanding that boundaries are necessary in order to support safe choices.

The Freedom to Make Choices!

• Freedom to be who you want to be, to have any faith or religion with respect for all, to embrace your culture and identity and wear appropriate attire celebrating and representing your religion, culture and/or identity.
• Freedom to spend leisure time as you wish.
• Personal freedom to live where you want to (subject to funds!), To aspire to any profession / future prospects, with equal access and opportunity to such opportunities.
• We are very lucky in Britain to have the freedom to choose from a very wide variety of food sources and food types.

With Rights Come Responsibilities, Which Give Rise To Mutual Respect – When Rights And Responsibilities Work Hand In Hand Effectively.

We All Have The Freedom To Make Choices!

Always Exercise Your Personal Rights And Freedoms Safely!

Several themes cut across the British value of individual liberty.

• Identity
• Belonging
• Diversity
• Freedom From Constraints

There is value in having a stable society and value in ensuring all people have equal opportunity and benefit from such stability. Ensuring this occurs may well involve ‘change’; the work of the suffragettes or Nelson Mandela for example, involved ‘change’ in society.

The British value of individual liberty allows you to make choices of your own, even from a very young age. At nursery education level, children are encouraged to make their own choices about ‘playing’ and have a wide variety of play areas to choose from. By having these choices and understanding the views of others, people have individual liberty that develops mutual respect.

How Does ‘Change’ Occur in Britain?

Sometimes in society, change is necessary in order to create an even fairer society. People of Britain do this by campaigning via petitions or canvassing local MPs; this could be setting up a ‘cause page’ online, for example.

Can you think of any personal freedoms or rights that are age-related?

What are they?

Why do you think they are age-related?

Do you think they should be age-related?  Why / why not?

Age related rights include

• the right to vote (at 18)
• the right to drive (at 17)
• the right to drink alcohol (at 18)
• the right to get married (with parents’ permission) (at 16)