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What is a law? |
by Mya Kagan (whyzz writer) >> more about the author
When you play a game with your friends, like soccer or kickball or checkers, you probably have some rules you follow so the game is fair and everyone knows what they are allowed to do and what they aren’t allowed to do! -- Needing to keep things fair and let people know what is okay to do and not okay to do is the same reason we have laws!
In many ways, laws are like rules that are created by a country’s government. One purpose of laws is to provide guidelines that help keep peace and order. For example, laws about how fast grown-ups can drive help prevent accidents, while laws about pollution help keep our air, water, and soil healthy.
Laws also help to provide citizens with services. Let’s say a country has a law saying all kids must go to school. In order to be able to enforce this law, that country’s government will probably have to build and pay for enough public schools to make it possible. – Making sure a law is and can be followed is just as important as creating the law in the first place.
Since people’s needs are always changing, laws are constantly being added and changed to offer the best possible resources and situations!
In many ways, laws are like rules that are created by a country’s government. One purpose of laws is to provide guidelines that help keep peace and order. For example, laws about how fast grown-ups can drive help prevent accidents, while laws about pollution help keep our air, water, and soil healthy.
Laws also help to provide citizens with services. Let’s say a country has a law saying all kids must go to school. In order to be able to enforce this law, that country’s government will probably have to build and pay for enough public schools to make it possible. – Making sure a law is and can be followed is just as important as creating the law in the first place.
Since people’s needs are always changing, laws are constantly being added and changed to offer the best possible resources and situations!
Laying down the law!
What are some laws that your country has that you know about? Ask a grown-up to tell you about some other laws that your country has too!
Why do you think your country has those laws? What are some benefits to having those laws? Can you think of any disadvantages they might have too?
If you were able to make laws and rules for your country, what are some new laws you would want to make? Why would you want to make those laws? Do you think everyone who lives in your country would benefit from them??
- "Law." Britannica Junior Encyclopedia. Britannica Online for Kids. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2010. Web. 1 Nov. 2010
- "law." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 01 Nov. 2010. Dictionary.com
- Nebel, Bernard J. Ph.D. “Chapter 5 – Government and Leadership.” Nebel’s Elementary Education. Maryland: Nebel’s Press for Learning, 2001. 99-100.