For centuries people have been enslaved in their work and careers. Since the industrial revolution, with the creation of the assembly line and the mass production of products, business owners have enslaved common men and women. Marx and Engels looked at this situation in The Communist Manifesto, the proletariats laboring under cruel and backbreaking conditions for minimal pay. Their relationships with their families become destitute and the exploitation of children occurred in order to bring in money for the family.

The enslavement still continues 150 years later with individuals today striving for more material wealth. This effort causes the sacrificing of other important aspects of their life, family cohesiveness and marriages. Divorce rates are at nearly 50% for American marriages, which leaves many children being raised by single parents. This perpetuates the cycle of enslavement by forcing parents to work longer hours in order to support their children. Parallels can be made between American families in the 21st century and the proletariats of the 19th century.

Yet, there appears to be hope on the horizon for workers. The hope takes the form of modern technology,

Yet, one advantage that is not included in advertisements is the benefits that employees receive. Utilizing the technology of videoconferencing, employees are now able to work out of their homes and still be kept up-to-date on the business affairs. They can attend conferences without leaving their living rooms. This benefit of videoconferencing definitively breaks the bonds of slavery that binds employees. Videoconferencing allows employees to stay at home with their families, which fosters greater attachment and communication. Divorce rates might drop if spouses are able to spend a greater amount of time together. Videoconferencing also cuts down on the amount of traveling individuals needs to complete for their employer. This also adds up to more time spent with family and less time at the office. Because of this shift, the employee may be more content with their job. Increased productivity may result from the increase in happiness of the employee.

In conclusion, videoconferencing may alleviate the bonds of slavery workers have had to endure since the Industrial Revolution. In Thoreau's work, Walden, he states that, "...the laboring man has not leisure for a true integrity day by day; he cannot afford to sustain the manliest relations to men; his labor would be depreciated in the market." (Thoreau 3) Thoreau believed that work and economic factors enslaved men. He felt they had no time to look inside themselves or spend leisure time. Videoconferencing allows individuals this opportunity. They may be freed from 10-hour workdays at the office and could enjoy quality time with their children and spouses. These benefits may greatly increase the

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