Thank you to everyone who replied to my survey on sweatshops. The first question asked what countries are known for using sweatshops?  I received a wide variety of countries including;

China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Mexico, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Bangladesh, Philippines, Burma, North Korea, Japan, Ethiopia, El Salvador, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, U.S., Germany, and developing countries.

Table 1 contains the average apparel industry wages in countries where sweatshops supposedly exist.2 from http://www.independent.org/publications/working_papers/article.asp?id=1369

Over winter break I found myself going to Wal-Mart and having to remind myself that Wal-Mart is known for using sweatshops and buying their products I would be supporting sweatshops. However one of my favorite stores is Old Navy. For Christmas I received gift cards for old Navy and love their Sweetheart jeans. Although most people do not think of Old Navy using sweatshops it falls under the umbrella with the Gap and Banana Republic. The Gap (which I do own clothes from) is known for sweatshops with factories in China, India, Thailand, and Cambodia. The Gap is on the list of sweatshops because the company does not pay their employees fairly and in 2007 they were found to have children workers and poor working conditions for workers. Old Navy has been my go to store for when I needed inexpensive clothing. Now I have to decide is fashion and inexpensive clothing worth having sweatshop? What do you think ?

A few interesting websites where you can learn more about sweatshops

http://businesstm.com/online-business-blog/sweatshops-child-labor-information.html
http://www.ehow.com/info_8198550_sweatshops-21st-century.html
http://www.tabberone.com/Trademarks/MLB/SlaveLabor/Industry.html
http://www.treehugger.com/style/are-these-unethical-fashion-brands-hiding-in-your-closet.html
http://www.greenamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=229

Please answer the following questions so I will have a better understanding of what individuals know about sweatshops and what individuals would like to learn about sweatshops. You can either post your answers or e-mail them to me at singletondms@gmail.com . I will start blogging the 28th of January to give participants a chance to answer the questions.  Each week I will blog about one of the questions and post informational websites on sweatshops.The second part of the blog will be my own personal attempts to be more conscientious of where I purchases clothing and at what stores I shops. Please give me feedback on what you have learned about sweatshops and any comments you might have. The propose of the blog is to learn about sweatshops and for us as citizens to become more aware of where we shop.

1. Name three countries known for sweatshops.

2. Name three companies known to use sweatshops.

3. On average how much do you spend on clothes in a year?
    a) <$100  b) $100-300  c) $300-500 d) $500- 700 e) >$1,000

4. Do you wear Nike products?

5. Do you shop at the Gap?

6. On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate your concern of sweatshops. (10 being very concerned)

7. On a scale of 1 to 10 how much do you currently know about sweatshops.

8. List the top three stores you purchase your clothing at.

9. What state/country do you currently reside in?