Are Shoes Made in China Necessarily Unethical (In Your Opinion?)
Hey guys,
Thought I’d ask for some thoughts on a matter I am currently pondering.
So I am currently trying to get a line of vegan shoes made.
However, there are no more shoe factories in the US. They have all been moved overseas, and mostly to China.
China is a country known for its terrible treatment of animals, sadly. Just today, I received an email from PETA called “no one needs to die for fashion” detailing the animal abuses that take place in China. Sad.
However, do you think that this means that any shoes made in China, even if they were totally synthetic, are unethical?
What if a factory in China could make great vegan shoes that popularized the whole concept of vegan shoes?
There are also concerns about the ethical treatment of factory workers.
But let’s say I visited and found a great factory.
One, that, for example, gave jobs to women who would otherwise be forced, through lack of funds, into prostitution (something I read about in the incredible book about the horrific treatment of women worldwide Half The Sky by NIcholas Kristof and Cheryl Wu-Dunn)?
Does the fact that the factory is in China make a difference?
What do you think. I’d love to know your thoughts on this very real dilemma.
Great idea.. and really great book. There must be some ‘good’ companies in china but you’d have to check them out carefully to be sure.
good point. you always have to see it with your own eyes to know.
To simply boycott everything that’s made in China doesn’t help anyone in a big scale. But starting a new company with fair conditions and good terms could be a step towards higher standards for workers in general. Or I hope and believe so.
You put this very well. It’s great to hear your opinion. I agree. Thanks!
Hi, sorry I’m so late. =)
I’m sure there are plenty of great, ethically-run factories in China. Personally, I look for goods made closer to home; I want to know the workers are being paid fairly and am trying to buy fewer and fewer things that have been shipped across the globe. I haven’t found US shoes yet, so I buy very few pair of began shoes and wear them until they fall apart.
good to know that you look for shoes made in the US. that really seems to be the problem with shoes. i heard someone say that about five years ago every shoe factor in america had huge going out of business sales and started selling of all the lasts and machine parts. as far as i can tell, all shoes (except the uppers on allan edmonds mens shoes) and handmade designer LEATHER shoes are now made overseas.