Two American Families: 1991-2024 (full documentary) | FRONTLINE
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Published 2024-07-23
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“Two American Families: 1991-2024” documents the saga of two families, the Stanleys and the Neumanns, who have spent the past 34 years battling to keep from sliding into poverty, and who refuse to give up despite upheaval in the U.S. economy. When the team first began documenting the families’ lives in 1991, the Neumanns and Stanleys were both struggling to adapt to a new, global economy and the trend towards part-time, lower-wage work.
With profound intimacy, the documentary follows the stories of the Stanleys and the Neumanns across six presidential administrations and offers a powerful window into how they and their now-grown children have fared while trying to stay afloat in an economy that has presented challenge after challenge for them.
“There are so many people struggling the same way with the cost of everything and not getting enough on your paycheck to cover your monthly expenses,” said Terry Neumann, who was a mom of young kids when the documentary’s producers began filming with her and is now in her early 60s. “It’s like we haven’t come very far.”
“I won’t give up,” said Jackie Stanley, who is working as a real estate agent while entering her 70s.
“Two American Families: 1991-2024” is a FRONTLINE production with Okapi Productions LLC and Public Affairs Television, Inc. in association with Left/Right Docs. The producers and directors are Tom Casciato and Kathleen Hughes. The co-producer is Andrew Fredericks. The senior producers are Frank Koughan and Nina Chaudry. The writer is Kathleen Hughes. The correspondent is Bill Moyers. The editor-in-chief and executive producer of FRONTLINE is Raney Aronson-Rath.
Explore reporting related to “Two American Families” on our website:
www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/two-america…
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FRONTLINE is produced at GBH in Boston and airs nationwide on PBS. Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding is provided by the Abrams Foundation; the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; Park Foundation; and the FRONTLINE Journalism Fund with major support from Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation, and additional support from Koo and Patricia Yuen.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Prologue
03:58 - How Changes in the American Labor Market in the Early ‘90s Impacted Some Families
16:19 - How the Financial Struggles of Parents Can Affect Their Children
35:02 - As Demand for Skilled Labor Increased in the Mid-90s, Wages Remained Low
47:08 - Why Some Working Families Continued to Face Financial Hardships Despite a Booming Economy in the Late ‘90s
1:01:48 - How Economic Changes in the Early 2010s Affected Families Already Struggling to Make Ends Meet
1:11:09 - Some Challenges Children From Income-Insecure Households Have Faced as Adults
1:23:08 - How Tax Cuts for the Wealthy, Inflation and Other Economic Shifts Have Affected Some Working Families Now Reaching Retirement Age
1:52:18 - Credits
All Comments (21)
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Bill Moyers is 90. So glad to hear his legendary voice in 2024 and know that he is still going strong. This documentary is a work of art.
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I am sick of the comments on here saying, “what did they do with all the documentary money?” This is public television and they aren’t the Kardashians. This is as real as it gets. These people are very brave to allow us to follow their lives, warts and all. To those young people paying attention, this documentary has the potential to teach many lessons and change the trajectory of a few lives.
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Now this is what you call a REALITY show. Thanks to the families and PBS
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What happened to BOTH families, and how they either regressed, or stagnated over the decades no matter how hard they worked and struggled, are PROOF of the evils of "trickle down" economics. The rich got richer, the middle class shrunk, and the ranks of the poor increased. And the SCARY part is; there are MILLIONS of Americans who are in the same boat as the Neuman's and the Stanley's. And there are millions MORE who are worse off. These people weren't stupid, or lazy, or lacking in initiative. They lacked real, tangible OPPORTUNITIES like so many other working people in this country. Frontline always produces great documentaries about America.
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This is an unbelievably beautiful masterpiece of journalism. I am so floored by these two families and the producers of Frontline willing to continue this experience. I first saw this as a teenager.
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This is so powerful. So much gratitude to these families for allowing their lives to be made public.
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Terri was right. Her house was sold for 36,000 in foreclosure after the bank demanded over 100,000 for her to keep it. This report was so eye-opening, heartbreaking, and yet beautiful.
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Oh man. My heart broke that Ms Jackie felt a failure. You are amazing. You raised five humans and you’re leaving behind your inspiring story. God bless.
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I like to thank the families for allowing the cameras to roll all of that time. It really meant a lot to me and other people that watch this and to Frontline PBS thank you
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I’m happy to see the update. I’m a teacher and have shown this to students. Those that have their whole life in front of them. They need to see the reality of normal people. God bless these families. 50 years and still here to tell their story.
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The Stanleys are the definition of class.
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5:25 This gentleman was making $18 an hour back in 1986 on a union job, PLUS benefits. We are being absolutely railroaded.
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It’s hard to see where they are, but I’m so invested in these families, it nice to see them again.
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I remember watching this when I was a preteen in middle school and being convinced that a formal education was the only sure way for success. Now, in my 40s, with multiple certificates, debts, divorce, aging relatives, and an adult child, I am convinced that there is no right way to secure financial success or financial freedom. What I am convinced about and pleasantly happy to see also shown in this amazing documentary is the power and value of interpersonal relationships, family, and love. That marriage and couple are solid. I'm so happy that they have and have had each other through it all. We should all be so blessed to be able to find and have love in our lives.
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This right here is an accurate indicator of the economic state of this country. Not the stock market, not unemployment, not new jobs - this. The actual lived experiences of American citizens.
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Incredibly important documentary that everyone needs to watch. I cannot believe we get journalism like this for free. Also, can we PLEASE get a gofundme together so the Stanley's can take a much needed vacation?!
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My heart goes out to the Stanley family. The dad is a role model for other fathers out there struggling.
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I really like these people. I wish that life was kinder to them.
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This should be shown to middle school and especially high school students. A powerful documentary on real life.
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Every woman needs a man like Jackie’s husband.❤
