Ideal Sweatshop

“The Myth of the Ethical Shopper” by Michael Hobbes is a piece that was posted in the Highline: Huffington Post. Hobbes argues that the ethical shopper no longer exists and for reasons he drones on about, will never exist again. American brands have been outsourcing their sweatshops for decades, which will be discussed in “The Ideal Sweatshop.” However, Hobbes brings a new element into the mix, because the countries that are being outsourced to have to produce clothing for their own populations as well the problem becomes unsustainable. In the example of China whose population is practically tripled Hobbes is essentially passing off the blame. When the subject of child labor is discussed this topic is of particular relevance “factories in developing
Gender and Transnational Protest*” by Ethel Brooks the reader follows 18-year-old Judith Viera whom is an activist for UNITE! and works in a factory in Florida. Viera in her time working at Mandarin International a factory that produced clothing for Gap, J.C. Penny, and Eddie Bauer was forced to take birth control, limited bathroom visits, full body searches before entering the building and many other intolerable practices. Viera is located within the US and her struggle to unionize is more easily publicized and assisted, in fact Viera even mentions in the article that she is self-aware of her burden being slightly easier to manage because she is within the United
The amendment begins by stating “section 1: Women shall have equal rights in the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Now go back to the factory DINDEX it is not in America, but is funded by American companies. It was found that there were “only tent toilets in the factory, five for [the 504] women [who work in the factory] and 5 for [the 54] men [who work in the factory], in disgusting, unhealthful conditions.” Granted neither situation seems ideal, but the women’s situation seems substantially worse. This specific instance does not seem like it is in compliance with the Equal Rights Amendment [ERA] even though the companies that work with DINDEX should have some responsibility towards it. The entire article "The Ideal Sweatshop? Gender and Transnational Protest," could be gone through to create a book to write about ERA