What is the difference between a right and responsibility?

Asked by: Mr. Ibrahim Tremblay DDS  |  Last update: January 27, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (11 votes)

A right is a freedom or entitlement you are guaranteed (like free speech), while a responsibility is a duty or obligation you have to act in a certain way, often to uphold others' rights (like speaking respectfully). Rights are about what you can have or do, protected by law or morality, while responsibilities are about what you should do to ensure a functional society and respect for everyone's entitlements.

What is an example of a right and responsibility?

For example, people have the right to vote. But they cannot exercise that right until they fulfill their responsibility to register. We also have the right to free speech, but free speech without responsible speech leads to catastrophe. Yelling “fire” in a crowded theater is still illegal.

What is the difference between a right and a responsibility for kids?

A right to do something vs. a responsibility to do something? (Invite student responses.) A right is something that is guaranteed or protected by a rule or law; a responsibility is something we are expected or required to do in order to uphold those rules or laws.

What is the difference between human rights and responsibilities?

Rights are those privileges and benefits a person enjoys as citizen of a state while duties are the responsibilities which citizens are expected to carry out in return for the rights they enjoy.

How to explain rights and responsibilities to children?

For example, we have the right to speak, the right to learn, and the right to be treated fairly. But with these rights come responsibilities. A responsibility means we do our part to help others and take care of our community.

Rights and Responsibilities for Kids | What is the difference?

38 related questions found

What is the difference between rights and responsibilities?

A rightis an entitlement to have something, or to be free from something. Rights are protected by law or through society's expectations. A responsibilityis a duty or obligation to act in a certain way. They can be positive - a duty TO do something; or they can be negative - a duty NOT to do something.

What are 5 examples of responsibilities?

Five examples of responsibility include personal duties like cleaning up after yourself, professional obligations such as meeting work deadlines, social duties like voting or helping neighbors, family roles like caring for children or contributing at home, and ethical duties like telling the truth and owning your mistakes, demonstrating accountability for your actions and their outcomes.
 

Which is more important rights or responsibilities?

While individual rights are undeniably crucial, they must be balanced with an equally robust sense of responsibility. Responsibility serves as a safeguard against the negative consequences of unchecked rights and fosters a more equitable and harmonious society.

What are the 5 R's of human rights?

It reminds personnel of “the five R's of human rights” (recognize, refrain, react, record, and report) and lists USSoUthCom's standing orders concerning respect for human rights.

What is the definition of human rights and responsibilities?

Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.

What are the 7 responsibilities of a child?

What are the responsibilities of a child?

  • Respect others: Be respectful of parents, guardians, teachers, and others who provide care, education, or training.
  • Adhere to standards of behaviour: ...
  • Avoid illegal actions: ...
  • Take care of your health: ...
  • Be responsible for your studies: ...
  • Respect the rights of others:

What is the simple definition of right?

Loosely, "right" also means any situation or decision that seems proper or correct by virtue of legal, moral, or ethical ideals (i.e., the opposite of “wrong”).

Is obeying rules a right or responsibility?

A responsibility can be a chore at home or school or it can be following rules, helping other community members, and making positive changes. When someone works to help the whole community, he or she works for the common good. Obeying laws and rules is an important responsibility.

What are three examples of responsibilities?

For example, you have the responsibility to attend school and pursue your studies properly, to take care of your parents in their old age, and so on. You also have responsibility to your society and they government, e.g. to help a neighbour in trouble or to cast your vote if you arte 18 or over.

Is life a right or responsibility?

Every human being has the right to life, liberty and the security of his person. Right to life, liberty and personal security. Article II. All persons are equal before the law and have the rights and duties established in this Declaration, without distinction as to race, sex, language, creed or any other factor.

What are the 5 examples of rights?

10 Examples of Human Rights

  • #1. The right to life. ...
  • #2. The right to freedom from torture. ...
  • #3. The right to equal treatment before the law. ...
  • #4. The right to freedom of movement. ...
  • #5. The right to return. ...
  • #6. The right to asylum. ...
  • #7. The right to marry. ...
  • #8. The right to freedom of thought.

What are the five basic rights?

The First Amendment protects five key freedoms:

  • Freedom of Religion.
  • Freedom of Speech.
  • Freedom of the Press.
  • Freedom to Assemble.
  • Freedom to Petition.

What is a violation of basic human rights?

According to the United Nations, a human rights violation occurs when actions by state or non-state actors abuse, ignore, or deny basic human rights laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) This includes civil, political, cultural, social, and economic rights.

What is the 6th human rights?

Article 6. Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

What are the three most important rights?

The three most important rights, often considered foundational, are the rights to life, liberty, and security of person, as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (Article 3). Other core rights include freedom from slavery, torture, and discrimination, alongside fundamental freedoms like speech, religion, and fair legal treatment, forming the basis for a just and free society. 

What is an example of rights and responsibility?

I have the right to good healthcare, especially when I am sick... ...and I have the responsibility to care for other people. ...and I have the responsibility to listen to other people and respect them. ...and I have the responsibility to accept other people who are different from me.

What is responsibility in simple words?

Responsibility refers to the duty of having authority or control over something or someone. If you are responsible for something, you will be held accountable for the outcome of what comes from it, as this was your duty. For quality management systems it is important that you take responsibility for your actions.

What are 5 personal responsibilities?

So as you progress thru the week and month, consider how you are taking responsibility for your aim, attention, attitude, affections, and actions. In a future post, I'll share some tips and actions I've been taking to assert my responsibility in these five areas.

What are the four types of responsibilities?

4 types of corporate social responsibility

  • Environmental responsibility. ...
  • Economic responsibility. ...
  • Philanthropic responsibility. ...
  • Ethical responsibility.