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Story:
Toy Recall Impacts How U.S. Companies Do Business in China, 08/22/07
1. Why is Mattel toy company in the news right now?
2. How has Mattel responded to the recall?
3. How has the Chinese government responded to the recall?
4. What percentage of toys are manufactured in China? Why?
5. What role do subcontractors play in this situation?
6. Who might gain something as a result of the recall? Why?
Discussion Activity (more research might be needed): 1. How important is safety to you when purchasing products like toys? Do you think consumers would be willing to pay more for products to ensure that they are safely produced? Why or why not? 2. How has globalization impacted where the products you buy come from? How do you know where products are made? What are the benefits and drawbacks of globalization? 3. A recently published book, "A Year Without 'Made in China,'" by Sara Bongiorni, tells the story of one American family's attempt to go an entire year without purchasing anything from China. Do you think you could do that? Why or why not? Spend some time examining where the products you use daily come from. What do you notice? How does this impact your view of globalization? Write a 300-500 word essay on either of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra (extra@newshour.org). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site. |