Essay On Canadian Citizenship

The steps to becoming a Canadian citizen are comprised of several components. The fact of the matter is that citizenship does not end when an individual obtains the documents that enable them to participate within civic duties and responsibilities. Based on the evidence of expert T.H. Marshall, within his academic essay entitled “Citizenship and Social Class”, the formation of social citizenship “promised greater economic equality, improvements in social welfare, services and education, and the opportunity for individuals to "share to the full in the social heritage and … live the life of a civilized being according to the standards prevailing in the society” (Marshall 1964). Social citizenship is also attributed as the basis of all forms of citizenship, yet is often debated whether it is currently possible and exercised by those of who it would benefit. According to the principles of T.H. Marshall’s literary work, social citizenship is active, as demonstrated through: the four core aspects citizenship, the basis of social policy, and the resulting actions taken by governing bodies.
The principles of T.H. Marshall’s literary work prove that social citizenship is active as

demonstrated through the three core aspects citizenship. The three main forms of citizens are social citizenship, cultural citizenship, political citizenship, and civil citizenship. The way how citizens interact with these different citizenship principles are all linked to social citizenship. Social citizenship is further defined by T.H. Marshall as “the right to a modicum of economic welfare and security and the right to live the life of a civilized being” (Marshall 1964). These keys link the aspects of internal factors that one can control, such as the feeling of security and satisfaction towards the life one enjoys, in relation to external factors, such as substantial financial provision and the way one lives. The second principle that proves that social citizenship is still a reality is the bases of social policy. Social policy is founded on “social assistance to fight poverty, social insurance to replace lost income, and universal programs available to all” (Marshall 1964). Further, these policies are all supposed to benefit no particular person or group, but it is to benefit all of society. When this social provision helps the people of the community or society, there is a measure of how well it is equally distributed to all members of society. The third principle that proves that social citizenship is in effect within society is the resulting actions taken by governing bodies to put the social policies in place. To transition the three social plans into actions, the Canadian government has taken multiple initiatives for the benefit of society. As initiated in the last decade of the twentieth century, there was more social action taken such as: setting up more programs to assist those who truly need it the most and also the creation of additional free universal systems for citizens. Also, the twenty-first century presented tax rebates; a refund on taxes paid to Canada Revenue Agency. These advantages, which might seem simple or might be overlooked, are valuable to those who are really in need, and it really provides a source of aid to those who are in difficult situations. These profitable systems also help to provide balance and opportunities to those who are seeking it. Therefore, social citizenship is active.
The four key parts of citizenship, the three bases of social policy and actions of the government reinforce that social citizenship, as defined by T.H.

Marshall, is still active within society. The key to full citizenship is that in order to engage in positive cultural, political and civic citizenship, it is to be understood that all are linked to social citizenship. The three social policies implemented by the government are for the benefit of the citizens, and also led to major changes from the government to support permanent change. In conclusion, social citizenship is still an impactful part of the way citizens are formed, because unhealthy culture and communities develop unfit citizens within a society who will deal with a difficult time of finding their place in a changing

country.