What Does Ethical Shoes Mean: Socially and Ethically Conscious Shoe Shopping

The question of ethical shoes sounds serious, as it also implies the reality of non-ethical shoes. The concern is a legitimate one for aware, socially and ethically conscious shoe shoppers.  

“What does ethical shoes mean?” 

The Globe and Mail article dated October 17, 2011, “Ask the Kielburgers: Where can I get ethical shoes?”

In this article, a socially and ethically conscious shoe shopper asks where he or she will be able to purchase ethical shoes. 

Ethical shoes sounds like an expression that demands a moment of thought, as well as serious inquiry into the topic.   

“I can find fair-trade coffee and organic cotton T-shirts, but I’m having trouble finding ethical shoes. Where do I look?”

Note the following concerns expressed for the socially and ethically conscious shoe shopper, with respect to purchasing ethical shoes.

Setting ethical priorities:

Moral principles based upon basic, human understandings of right and wrong, lead to the development of appropriate, ethical guidelines. When guidelines are in accordance with moral principles, they are ethically correct. When they are not, then there is cause for serious concern, as the guidelines are unethical.

Each human being sets his or her own social and ethical priorities. In many aspects of life and business, including the manufacturing, marketing and selling of shoes, a moral and ethical question can arise. 

It involves a number of issues including the following:     

Manufacturing under abusive working conditions:

Most people are familiar with the negative, third world concept of sweatshops, where the working conditions are deplorable. Workers are underpaid, overworked and abused, while they toil to produce products of various kinds that are then marketed around the world. The majority of the employees may be children and thus, these kinds of companies appear to thrive on child labor.

One must suggest that for a socially conscious shopper to support a business like this would be less than ethical. Unfortunately, this kind of derogatory situation exists in the manufacturing and marketing world of shoes and thus, the question of ethical shoes arises.     

Environmental impact:

Negative environmental impact is a cause for alarm in many parts of the world, including places that promote shoe-manufacturing businesses. The source of the material and the use of it in the production of shoes may be ethical or unethical. 

Transporting the material is also an area of concern with respect to ethical shoes. Is there damage done to the environment in the transportation of the material used or the finished product?

A question arises in the mind of the socially, ethically conscious buyer, as to whether one should purchase shoes manufactured, marketed and sold under conditions like this.   

Harm to animals:

Animal advocates argue in favor of an ethical stance that favors protecting animals, when it comes to manufacturing shoes and various other products. If there is a senseless slaughter of animals or animals that are harmed in some way in the manufacturing process? This would not be an ethical position for a shoe manufacturing company to take.

A socially and ethically conscious buyer would not support buying or selling them from an outlet that supports this kind of activity.     

Giving back to the community:

A manufacturing or marketing company can choose to take from people in an area challenged, in some way. An example might be that of one where there is hunger and poverty when they do not give anything back, in terms of appropriate remuneration for employment and worker’s benefits. This is an unethical position for them to take, as opposed to an ethical stand, where a company gives to a community and thus, enables it to thrive. The company essentially supports the community and vice versa.

An ethical stand is ultimately in everyone’s best interest when it comes to the manufacturing and marketing of shoes, as everyone is encouraged to take care of everyone else.

Socially and ethically conscious shoppers all around the world are becoming increasingly aware of these kinds of concerns, when shopping for shoes for themselves and their families. They decide whether to support and promote ethical or un-ethical businesses, manufacturing and distribution practices, including ones where shoes are at the heart of the business.

With growing, global economic concerns, it becomes increasingly important for shoppers to take an ethical stand, as an unethical business may appear to thrive for a time, but ultimately cannot succeed.     

Globally, poor countries need the financial support of others, but not at the cost of promoting unethical business practices. Not every shoe manufacturing company starts out large, in fact quite the opposite. Many begin with a minimum number of employees and struggle to survive, but their business practices are legitimate, sound and thus, ethical.

The businesses that are destined to survive are the socially and ethically oriented ones, as people who are socially and ethically oriented invariably choose to support one another. Unethical people do not support anyone but themselves. Unethical businesses fail because they tend to be cruel, hard-hearted and self-oriented.

Have you considered recycling your old shoes? That is an ethical stand too.

Promoting ethical shoes is win-win situation for everyone.