Young people discuss and debate the issues related to ethical consumerism and the common good, and consider how their spending habits reflect their values.
- Research public or social issues related to the common good. Form an opinion and develop and present a persuasive argument using communication tools.
- Analyze and synthesize information to differentiate fact from opinion, evaluating the effects of individual actions on other people.
- Identify and describe the actions of how citizens act for the common good.
- Describe the responsibility we have to act in the civil society sector to improve the common good.
- Discuss the concept of corporate citizenship and corporate responsibility for the common good.
- three videos and discussions about living philanthropically with time, talent, and treasure
- a Kahoot game about ethical consumerism
Anticipatory Set:
Play the Kahoot game linked above. After each question, discuss their answers related to buying practices that reflect our values.
Discuss what this quote means: “We don’t have a choice on whether to consume or not; the only choice is whether or not we want to make our decisions count towards the greater good.”
- What are some decisions consumers can make that would count towards the greater good?
- As a group, define "greater good" and “ethical consumer.”
Discuss the privilege of making buying choices that reflect our values by discussing this quote:
“Ethical products generally cost more, like free-range animals, which requires owning more land…Because ethical consumption is cost prohibitive, there's a risk that ethical consumerism will be divided along class lines. The ability just to consume, 'ethically' could be like a pastime of the wealthier, right? You have the leisure, you have the ability in the spending to do this."
- ~ Jason Dana, Ethical consumerism: Spending money on your values (Business Insider, 2022)
- Can only rich people be ethical consumers? What are ways to be ethical consumers without spending more money?
- What does it mean to "vote with your dollars"?
Watch the videos and discuss how we can live philanthropically with our time, talent, and treasure in this activity: How to Live Philanthropically.
What is your favorite company from which you purchase items (food, clothes, electronics)?
- Go to your chosen company’s website and locate information that describes the company’s commitment to “the common good.” (Look for terms like sustainability, corporate responsibility, community giving, social impact.)