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Citizenship - Identity. What is a Citizen and Perceptions of Being British.
Citizenship - Identity. What is a Citizen and Perceptions of Being British.
What is a Citizen?
A citizen is a person who is a member of a country or state?
Citizenship is a term that means 'belonging to a state'.
The rights of the citizen are protected by the state, but citizens also have a corresponding responsibility to abide by the rules of the state.
The term 'citizen' implies that a person is part of a democracy and has a say in their government.
'Being British'
British Citizenship Status
British Citizen
The most common type of citizenship status, automatic full citizenship rights (including the right to live, work and vote in the UK)
British Overseas Territories Citizenship (BOTC)
Since 2002, people living in these existing territories (e.g. Gibraltar) have full British citizenship rights. Automatic full citizenship rights.
Types of citizenship status for peoples in former colony countries
Before the 1960's, most people from former colonies (e.g. India) were given the right to adopt British citizenship
During the 1980's. controls were tightened on thus type of British citizenship.
Dual Citizenship
People that leave Britain and are adopted by another nation can still maintain their British citizenship. The same is true fir many people leaving other countries to adopt British citizenship.
British citizens and the citizenship of the European Union (EU)
The UK is one of the 27 members of the European Union - EU citizens also have rights to travel, work, and live, vote, stand for election and be protected by law anywhere in the EU.
Becoming a British Citizen
Born in the UK
A person automatically becomes a British citizen if they are; born in the UK; and their parents are married; and at least one of their parents is a British citizen.
If their parents are not married, then the child becomes a British citizen if the mother is a British citizen or settled in the UK.
Adoption
A child adopted by a British citizen becomes a British citizen on the day of adoption order
Descent
A child who is born outside the UK but has a British parent becomes a British citizen as long as their parent didn't acquire citizenship by descent.
Registration
A child born in the UK that is not registered for British citizenship can qualify for citizenship at ten years of age if they have not spent more than 90 days a year outside the UK; or if their parent becomes a British citizen.
Naturalisation
A person of another nationality can become a British citizen if; they have lived in Britain for five years (three if married to a British citizen); they can show understanding of English, Welsh or Gaelic language and British culture; they complete a language and knowledge test; they complete an application and pay approximately £150; they attend a citizenship ceremony.
The concept of 'Englishness' remains a contested one. The colonial history of the UK and its history of migration mean that the English population comprises of many different religions, cultures and ethnicities, with people and their family originating from many different countries. This level of diversity mean it is sometimes difficult to identify what it means to be 'English'.
Identifying what is meant to be British is problematic. National identity is a personal concept and may be hard to express as any more than a 'feeling' or 'sense'. What makes people feel united may be as simple as a symbol or it may be language, accent or dialect. The royal family is often cited as a unifying emblem of 'Britishness', however, many view the monarchy as outdated and not a symbol of their national identity.
Factors that Influence Identity
Social Class
Regionality
Ethnicity
Religion
Age
Gender
Nationality
Emloyment
Education
Britain is described as a 'liberal society' or 'liberal democracy'. This means everyone has equal access to specific rights, and with those, the corresponding duties/responsibilities