AMERICAN IDEALS

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

COMMENTARY

By NATHAN KENNEDY

The Terrapin Times  Web Editor

           We have much to be thankful for this Christmas and every holiday season for the past 227 years. As Americans we have the great luxury of living in a free society. Our country is one of the longest standing democracies in the history of the world; however, having a free society does not come without much work and persistence.

            Despite what many believe, all of us play integral roles in a free society, both as college students and members of our society.  One American ideal that stands out from the rest is personal responsibility. Personal responsibility must be exhibited by all the members of our society in order to maintain a free society and a spirit of individualism.

            Personal responsibility means we must hold ourselves accountable for our actions. I am not saying you should not drink, or you should not have pre-marital sex, or any other action that may be deemed irresponsible. What people need to remember is their responsibilities to society, and to not be a detriment to society. Think of the consequences of your actions and act appropriately. People who do not take responsibility for their actions are hurting a free society as well as themselves.

            We as college students have an obligation to educate ourselves and help to further our country in our own specialized fields. The Intercollegiate Studies Institute formulates this idea best when it says, “Because each individual is morally responsible for his acts, citizens in a free society have an obligation to educate themselves to further the common good through the political process.”

            It is our personal responsibility to represent ourselves, our family, our school, our country, and our beliefs in a respectable and mature manner. By doing this we continue to perpetuate our free society and keep America thriving.

            Once we as Americans stop exhibiting personal responsibility, laziness will creep in, which causes apathy in a person’s education. Many students at the University of Maryland and people across the country are apathetic; not just in the political arena, but also in being involved in our communities. Many students are apathetic in joining groups, going to class, or even doing work. Sometimes, students at this university are so apathetic, that they will even complain over work assigned to them by professors.

I say welcome to America. Personal responsibility is what makes us so great. Your personal responsibility can help to place you in a high position in our society. You do not want to do work and further your education? That is ok, we need McDonalds and Sheetz.

Our personal responsibilities keep our free society prospering. Give thanks this year for being American by following this American ideal, which keeps America thriving.