Fast Food Nation Ch 3 Questions

Why haven't fast food workers unionized and what tactics have management used to defeat union efforts?


Fast food workers have not unionized because the high turnover rates at fast food restaurants, the part-time nature of the jobs, and the marginal social status of the crew members have made it difficult to organize their workers. About two-thirds of the nation's fast food workers are teenagers. Most workers are part-time unskilled workers. They are usually not educated nor trained and lack the ability to organize themselves. Fast food managers spend time to motivate their crew members to avoid the unionized crusades. Also if a union is established, company can easily fire the union members and hire new workers. The demand for the fast food job is so high that companies don't have to keep their "disobedient" workers; they can simply replace workers.

Fast Food Nation Ch 2 Questions

Discuss the fast food industry's marketing to children and explore the ethics of targeting children, especially as they relate to advertising in schools.


The fast food industry's marketing is usually targeting children because it is easier to make them buy at the fast food restaurants. Also, children usually bring their parents or grandparents so the restaurants can make money even more. Many restaurants use mascots, toys, and cheaper meals to attract children. One of the controversies involving the fast food industry's marketing to children is the advertising in schools. Schools can get ad rate from fast food restaurants and use it to improve facility. The restaurants can advertise and make more profit. However, children exposed to those advertisements are easily influenced by them and tend to buy more at fast food restaurants and as a result they become unhealthy.

Fast Food Nation Intro & Ch 1 Questions

Intro: How is the 'American world view' embodied in the fast food industry?

The fast food industry shows the American world view of capitalism by tricking young people about real price to make their money sense paralyzed and lead them to buy more fast foods.

Chapter 1: What elements of Southern California "culture" contributed to and encouraged the development of fast food restaurants?

The flourish of automobile contributed to and encouraged the development of fast food restaurants.

Source 4. What are the Arguments For and Against Keeping Pets?

http://animalrights.about.com/od/companionanimalspets/a/Keeping_Pets.htm

Summary: There are the arguments over keeping pets. People in support of keeping pets argue that pets are creatures with whom we share a world, and we rejoice in their companionship.

Source 3. Germany votes for animal rights

http://articles.cnn.com/2002-05-17/world/germany.animals_1_animal-rights-human-rights-lawmakers?_s=PM:WORLD

Germany became a first EU nation to include the animal rights in Constitution. German Constitution now says that animals, like humans, have the right to be respected by the state and to have their dignity protected.

It means that there is a precedent of animal rights.

Source 2. Veterinarians team up with plastic surgeons for dog bite prevention week

http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/may03/030515n.asp

1. Summary:
Dogs can be great pets and enrich our lives tremendously. However, any dog can also bite. People should understand how to prevent dog bite to develop good relationship with dogs.

2. Central Argument
People should be educated to prevent the dog bite and be responsible to their dog.

3. Assertions
- "More than 61 million dogs in the United States make great pets and enrich our lives tremendously."
- "This is an excellent opportunity for veterinarians to work side by side with our human health care colleagues to educate the public that responsible dog ownership and appropriate behaivour around dogs benefit the well being of dogs and people"

Source 1. Why shouldn't animals be considered "property" under the law?

http://animalrights.about.com/od/animallaw/f/AnimalsProperty.htm

1. Animal should not be considered property under the law because unlike inanimate objects, they are sentient beings with their own lives and interests. Thus, the law should change the property status of animals to reflect the social values.

2. The author claims that animal should not be considered as property.

3. "In most cases, you have a legal right to destroy your own property. If someone decides to chop up their kitchen table and use it for firewood, that is their legal right. But if someone abuses or neglects an animal, they should be criminally prosecuted" - this assertion shows the difference between pets and property.

"Most Americans consider their animals to be part of the family" - this assertion gives the common social value to convince people.