So PBS Frontline did a documentary where they follow 2 families from 1991 through 2024.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AAUcmyXbg4

It is interesting because it shows how the job market hasn't really improved all that much and during the entire time they barely survived. It even showed where presidents were patting themselves on the back saying they made more jobs, people have more money, etc. But it shows reality is 100% different. Basically those on the lowest end of the ladder bounce from low paying job to low paying job. They were NEVER able to work themselves out of poverty.

Something else that is interesting is it shows directly due to poverty, having to take jobs where spouses couldn't see each other, etc. It causes problems and couples to split up.

From the looks of it some of the people they are basically waiting to die and keep up this for ….. Like they never actually gave a reason or shown they were actually happy.

UPDATE:

Someone nudge me and I took a quick look. The link above goes to something like 1991 to 2013 I think. On PBS the other day they showed that and all the way to 2024. The difference is people aged a lot after the virus, the black wife was literally crying about not having money or able to do anything and how tired she was, and I think she was sick. The dad the divorced came back in the show and he admitted he will never retire because he can't afford it. He looks horrible. His daughter isn't doing that well. The ex wife is mostly the same with struggling to make it by. Basically it got a lot worse in the few years between 2013 and 2024.

This is the updated version that goes all the way to 2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VClQ_TlXT2U

Sorry about that