Two American Families (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

This 2013 documentary tells the stories of two families in Milwaukee—one black, one white—in a battle to keep from sliding into poverty.


“Two American Families” raises questions about the U.S. economy and the declining middle class through the stories of the Neumanns and the Stanleys, which began when the breadwinners in both families lost their well-paying factory jobs. For more than two decades, Correspondent Bill Moyers documented their struggle to keep their homes, their health insurance and their dignity.

#Documentary​ #TwoAmericanFamilies

Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Major funding for FRONTLINE is provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Abrams Foundation, Park Foundation, the Heising-Simons Foundation, and the FRONTLINE Journalism Fund with major support from Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation.

[CraigNAnderson]

Who else loves these timeless documentaries, years in the making.

[watchdealer]

Can we please give some respect for Keith! First son from the family to graduate high school and college. Gov job with good pay and benefits and a property investment and a side hustle! Taking care of his nephew. What an amazing and humble person!

[TurkanaNation]

This is exactly what I love about Frontline...This is 30 years in the making. Wow

[mikewatt]

i have big respect for these 2 families who tried their best. any man or woman who gets out of bed to work no matter how shit the job is is a hero.

[ddlyify]

I really respect that black family's hustle and their determination to stay together. Those are really invaluable qualities.

[namingthem]

I cried when jackie said she felt like a failure. YOU are Not! You raised 5 beautiful children who didn’t stray towards evil, you succeeded at a marriage for all those years, you kept your head up & your faith in God....you are a smart, beautiful, successful woman! Never doubt that! ❤️👍🏻❤️

[simonsays]

Mrs Stanley, you are far from a failure. You raised a family and the children you raised have integrity and good character. You and your husband are exceptional and a blessing to this world. This has been my goal as a parent, although money is a necessity; your legacy is a good structure in your family tree. Great job Mr. and Mrs. Stanley.

[AmyLee-ybbx]

I met Mrs. Stanley today randomly at a store and we chatted away about real estate and other things for a good 10 minutes. At the end she mentioned this documentary, but didn’t go into detail. I had tears in my eyes during this whole thing. Such a strong family! Her and her husband are to truly be admired!

[KristynRaeV]

When Keith zips up his gown to be the first man in his family to graduate high school... That smile deserves all the love in the world!

[gigamay]

"Fake it till you make it" There is nothing fake about that woman. Shes the real deal!

[maburg]

Both of these woman -- these FAMILIES -- are the furthest thing from "failures"!! They have been knocked down, again and again, yet they've risen to meet each challenge in their own ways. I hope they all know they are the epitome of who and what we value as human beings. Decent, kind, hard-working - and they have every right to hold their heads up high.💜

[princess_ama]

The scene where they showed the family eating together and then cut to the mom eating by herself is just heartbreaking.

[steffaely]

The African American family is so inspiring. The mother is so smart, hardworking and charismatic. She is amazing! I cannot believe she said she was a failure! She think she’s an inspiration!

[davidmurray]

Well done Frontline. I'd almost forgotten how good real journalism could be. Wonderful families with challenging but real-world lives. Inspirational.

[sophiapetrillo]

“My parents put a lot of time and energy into us. Into making us who we are… there are people who look like me, who live where I live, who are dealing with situations and struggles that I’ve never seen… I’ve never seen the inside of a jail. I can’t tell you what a gun looks like. I don’t know what drugs or even alcohol looks like.

...I have to give all that credit to my dad along with my mom.”


YOU, Mrs. Stanley, are NOT a failure.

You’re an inspiration.

👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻

[jonbeltrano]

Frontline documentaries just hit harder when you see them a decade after they aired. So much insight, so many warnings. I'd love to know what these families are doing today.

[EdugeBDroN]

2 parents working full-time shouldn't be in poverty

[julimessick]

Reliving my life, divorced with 4 children. $80 a week child support & working 2 jobs in the late 80's into the 90's. Tears 😢

[JamesCarson]

I wish there was a way to make a donation to the families who told their stories. We pay over $10 to see fictional movies, I feel we could make a contribution in some way for these very deeply touching stories.

[MarcellineAbomo]

Who else loves these timeless documentaries, years in the making.. Who else loves these timeless documentaries, years in the making..