Consumer choice and ethics Why do we need to think about what we buy? Who?What?Why? Where? When?

By the end of the lesson, you should…  …know…  …some of the ethical questions surrounding consumer choice  …understand…  …why we need to think carefully about what we buy  …be able to…  …explain the consequences of certain consumer choices

Thinking things forward  Each of the following slides contains a scenario.  For each one, decide what you think will happen…  …bearing in mind that there are several answers to each scenario.  There is also a spelling mistake on each slide. Can you find it?

 Peter has just recieved a credit card bill. He can’t afford to pay it. What happens next?

 Muhammad works in a sweetshop for Primark. What will happen to him this evening?

 Jay needs a new jumper but knows that this one was made by someone who dyed in the factory. What should he do?

It’s sticker time!  In groups of four, you need to pick up some paper and a sheet of stickers.  Take the top left sticker, stick it down, and discuss what you should write at the end of it.  Then take the next sticker in the row etc until you have run out of stickers.  For example:

 Boycotting something means refusing to buy it so that...  …the company who makes it know that you don’t like what they are doing  …you feel good because you’re not supporting something bad  …you have to think about where things come from  …companies have to change the things they do  There are lots of possible answers for each statement – decide amongst yourselves which you think is the best one

Quiz Let’s show that we understand the information we are discussing here!

Question 1  Why are disposable nappies a problem? A - Because they stink. B - Because they cost a lot. C – Because they take up to 200 years to decompose (rot). D – They are uncomfortable.

Question 1 - answers  Why are disposable nappies a problem? A - Because they stink. B - Because they cost a lot. C – Because they take up to 200 years to decompose (rot). D – They are uncomfotable.

Question 2 What are the conditions like in sweatshops? A - No environmental regulations B - Lots of children C – Poor quality shoes D - Very low wages

Question 2 - answers What are the conditions like in sweatshops? A - No environmental regulations B - Lots of children C – Poor quality shoes D - Very low wages

Question 3  Why is fair trade seen as a good thing? A – Because it means that People who work on farms and in factories are treated properly B – Because working conditions are much worse C – Because it makes people think about where things come from D - Because it means consumers get a fair price for their work

Question 3 - answers  Why is fair trade seen as a good thing? A – Because it means that People who work on farms and in factories are treated properly B – Because working conditions are much worse C – Because it makes people think about where things come from D - Because it means consumers get a fair price for their work

Question 4  Why is it good to buy locally produced food? A - It costs more B – It tastes better C - You have to change your plans D – There is less pollution from transport

Question 4 - answers  Why is it good to buy locally produced food? A - It costs more B – It tastes better C - You have to change your plans D – There is less pollution from transport

Question 5  Why is it beneficial to give money to charities A – You get to borrow more money B – You get to pay less tax C – You feel good because you Have helped someone D – Charities are really rich

Question 5 - answers  Why is it beneficial to give to charities A – You get to borrow more money B – You get to pay less tax C – You feel good because you Have helped someone D – Charities are really rich

Question 6  Why do some people believe that we have to think carefully about the medicines we take? A – Because some people can’t afford it B – Because some medicines are tested on animals. C – Because they are likely to make us better. D – Because health is a right and not a luxury

Question 6 - answers  Why do some people believe that we have to think carefully about the medicines we take? A – Because some people can’t afford it B – Because some medicines are tested on animals. C – Because they are likely to make us better. D – Because health is a right and not a luxury

Question 7  Why are disposable products sometimes seen as a bad thing? A – Because they have to be replaced. B – Because they have to be disposed of C – Because it means the government have less waste to deal with D – Because they take up so much space.

Question 7 - answer  Why are disposable products sometimes seen as a bad thing? A – Because they have to be replaced. B – Because they have to be disposed of C – Because it means the government have less waste to deal with D – Because they take up so much space.

How did you do?  There were a possible 11 points. How many did you get?

What do your pictures mean?  Each group has a picture sheet.  Imagine each picture is on the front page of a newspaper.  If these were the pictures, what do you think the headlines would be?  Write a headline underneath each picture, which must be related to this lesson!  Here are the pictures in colour:

Each slide contains a statement. You need to decide whether it is true or false, by either: –Making a ‘T’ shape with your hands (true) –Stroking the index and middle finger of your right hand across the palm of your left hand (false. This is ‘f’ in sign language) There is also a grammatical error on each question. Can you find it?

There are 8 billion washable, nappies sold every year. True or false?

Why is there a comma? There are 8 billion washable, nappies sold every year.

Animals used for fur are sometime’s skinned alive. True or false?

They are indeed... There shouldn’t be an apostrophe in ‘sometimes’ Animals used for fur are sometime’s skinned alive..

Fair trade means that: the things we buy are cheaper. True or false?

Paying people properly for their work usually makes products more expensive There shouldn’t be a colon. Fair trade means that the things we buy are cheaper.

*Boycotting* something means buying more of it to boost sales. True or false?

A boycott means NOT buying things. There should be speech marks around ‘boycotting’. *Boycotting* something means buying more of it to boost sales.

Half of the population of the UK give to charity! True or false?

It’s around 56%... Why is there an exclamation mark? Half the population of the UK give to charity!