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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be outraged about sweatshops?

29 replies

DiamondsAndDaisychains · 07/02/2014 14:06

Did anyone else watch the show on ITV last night about sweatshops? Can't believe that kind of abuse is behind most high street fashion!! Can't believe my kids could be wearing stuff made by other kids in sweatshops... It's on iPlayer now if anyone wants to watch it... really makes you think!
www.itv.com/itvplayer/search/term/Exposure

OP posts:
Fantissue · 07/02/2014 14:26

This is news to you? Seriously?

MrsTerryPratchett · 07/02/2014 14:30

Just so you know... diamonds, gold, chocolate, carpets and a whole list of other things are made in ways that involve children slavery, poisoning whole communities and death. Have a Google of a few things. Then try to buy ethically.

BadgersRetreat · 07/02/2014 15:07

i'm surprised you weren't aware of this tbh. How do you think such cheap clothing is produced?

RandyRudolf · 07/02/2014 15:17

I don't think it's surprising that the OP didn't know about this. This is why such programmes are made, to bring awareness. The same goes for food. If more people were aware of the journey from field to plate there would be many more vegetarians out there.

Joysmum · 07/02/2014 15:26

There will no doubt be a lot of outraged mumsnetters posting on here about this, but in reality there are very few ethical shoppers. I do for some things, not for everything and not all the time. It's some me, and the rest if us should do, but don't. Sad but reality.

Randyrudolph I'd actually expect that if more people knew how meat got from field (or intensively farmed cages) to plate there'd be more ethical meat eaters, and do meat eaters should be.

Braganza · 07/02/2014 15:27

The conditions are terrible, but boycotting products made in them isn't necessarily the answer. What if one child working in a sweatshop means their sibling can get an education? What if the pittance they earn is the difference between going to bed hungry and eating? It's different to factory farming because not buying the product could have a worse effect than buying it. Lobbying the companies using them to insist on higher standards or donating to charities trying to get families out of poverty is probably more constructive.

DolomitesDonkey · 07/02/2014 15:35

Hello, have you been in a coma for 20 years?

Original poster
DiamondsAndDaisychains · 10/02/2014 12:24

Of course I knew it happened. What I didn't realise was how mainstream it is.
I undertook about a year ago to only shop ethically, and it has been an eye opening journey. I think clothing should be labelled so at least you know what you're buying. Like cage eggs and free range.
And for the record, I am vegetarian too!! A real bleeding heart according to my family.

OP posts:
bodygoingsouth · 10/02/2014 12:30

you are very innocent then op.

I wish I could have the luxury of shopping ethically and buying organic stuff but i have the inconvenience of a large mortgage and bills and a house of 6 to feed.

Original poster
DiamondsAndDaisychains · 10/02/2014 12:44

I don't consider myself innocent, I consider myself a stand for voiceless/ powerless women and children on the other side of the world.
But I also have a big mortgage and six kids and shopping ethically is really hard a lot of the time, especially with fashion as it's so hard to get a straight answer from most of the retailers about where their clothing is made and under what conditions.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 10/02/2014 12:47

The chances are, the components in whatever device you're using to post from were made unethically

So I'm not sure how much of a stand you're making

YANBU to be upset by it but YABU to get preachy.

Original poster
DiamondsAndDaisychains · 10/02/2014 12:52

I'm not interested in being preachy. I'm certainly not claiming to be a perfect human, I was just shocked by the documentary and wondered it others felt the same. I am really sad that a lot of my clothing was made in sweatshops. I hate to think of my children wearing things that other children made instead of playing or being at school. And I am committed to not buying things that have involved other people suffering. That's all.

OP posts:
Floisme · 10/02/2014 12:57

I don't think you're being preachy, op. As a fashion lover, I agree with you and I find this 'Yawn, you're so naive' attitude thoroughly depressing. The fact that we're all complicit in it (myself included) doesn't make it any better.

bodygoingsouth · 10/02/2014 13:01

no it doesn't make it better but it doesn't come as a huge suprise either. this isn't new information is it?

Original poster
DiamondsAndDaisychains · 10/02/2014 13:02

Thanks Floisme.
I'm sorry if anyone thought I was being preachy, it really wasn't my intention.
I'd love to see Mumsnet use some of their power to influence clothes labelling. I'm sure NO ONE would want to buy clothing for their children that has been made by other children... let alone our own clothing.

OP posts:
Original poster
DiamondsAndDaisychains · 10/02/2014 13:03

bodygoingsouth, but why are we so ok with other people working in sweatshops? Maybe it's not new, but maybe we need to think about it all the same..?

OP posts:
BabyDubsEverywhere · 10/02/2014 13:06

I cant really afford to buy clothes from anywhere but the cheapest of shops... regardless of who make them tbh.

Floisme · 10/02/2014 13:06

I agree that it isn't new and that it's complicated and God knows, I'm as guilty as anyone. I just don't see the need to be sneery.

Original poster
DiamondsAndDaisychains · 10/02/2014 13:10

BabyDubs, with 6 kids of my own, I can assure you I'm always looking for a bargain! But there are amazing end of season sales where stuff is 70% off, and I consider it an investment as I know it will get a few wears through being handed down through the family. I'm sure it's not everyone's thing, but I find it increasingly important, personally.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 10/02/2014 13:17

I get what you're saying OP but I'm not sure you get the irony of 'saying' it from a PC, laptop or mobile phone.

Sony, Apple and all the major companies are forever being caught using unethically made components from their contractors.

They tend to deny all knowledge and then switch to other unethical suppliers, that they'll deny all knowledge of when found out again.

It's a difficult one to avoid, no matter how you dress your kids.

IdRatherPlayHereWithAllTheMadM · 10/02/2014 14:35

which shops are they i havent got time to watch it, as far as i am aware ti hitnk GAP, and m and s have been caught out before...

could be wrong and primark?

bodygoingsouth · 10/02/2014 14:39

I am not ok with it but merely pointing out that it's commen knowledge to all and companies are well aware of it.

obviously not on a par but supermarkets are screwing farmers every day if the week.

people want cheap clothes and food.

photo927 · 10/02/2014 14:51

Diamonds - Which clothing retailers do you consider ethical and hence purchase from?

HesterShaw · 10/02/2014 14:56

Primark - made for children by children.

Did you really not know?

Floisme · 10/02/2014 16:48

The op has stated that she knows. She has said that she didn't intend to sound preachy. I will ask again, why the sneering?