The Lost American Dream | Our America with Lisa Ling | Full Episode | OWN 

Who’s watching this in 2024?.

They treated Bob like crap. Ridiculed the car, not grateful for his job efforts, left him at Christmas. Ungrateful family. Shame.

Who else would like to have a 2024 update on Bob❓

If my parents don’t want to invite my husband for the holidays I’m not going without him 😔 incredibly sad for Bob 😭

For the kids in the first story, you have a mother and a father. You have a roof over your head and food in the fridge. You are driven to school, not in a car as fancy as others but it works. You were not abandoned or abused. You have a father that cares and fixes your lunch every day. What else do you want!???! I wish I had half of that when I was your age!

He’s a good Papa. I don’t care what his in-laws think, the neighbors think. This man is trying. He’s not giving up. THAT’S what a good father does.

I hope Bob is in a better place in 2024 🫶

What kind of spouse leaves her husband alone for the holidays because her parents have issues with him? I hope Bob is in a better place in 2020!

The daughter saying, "I hate this car", then walk or take the bus. You should feel blessed to have a car. Some don't have one! She looks like she has her own room, they had to downgrade well at least you still have a decent home. Seems like a bunch of ungrateful people in Bob's family. These kids and his wife REALLY don't have a clue! They just want the lavish lifestyle they had!

Unfortunately, the rich don't know how to be poor. They are not equipped mentally for the fall.

A husband’s loyalty to his wife is tested when he has everything. A wife’s loyalty is tested when her husband has nothing...

April 23, 2024 here and the situation is even worse

Shame on Bob's family. Shame on them. Bob is doing a great job. Oh and Hey kids.... Don't like the car? walk.

He's a great father. If I told my parents I hate this car. Then their telling me to walk. Wife & kids are kinda ungrateful.

I would LOVE a follow up video about "Where Are They Now?".

I never resented my husband when he lost his job. It was out of his control. I got a part time job and we managed, he later got a job and it worked out. Bob's family is horrible. They were spoiled and now they're thankless. He deserves better. His family is selfish 😒

I had a father who left my mother broke and struggling. I would have loved to have a father around, who cared enough to try and provide for us. That family should be grateful that he's as kind and caring as he is.

Bob's family is the worst. That is not downsizing. They have a huge house, every one has their own bedroom, they have a car, the dad makes them lunches, and they still complain and are ungrateful. My family lived 8 people in a 2 bedroom apartment with 1 bathroom and we kids pitched in by working after school.

Bob is doing his best . This is when the family need to let him know he is still the head of the family & he is still needed .show some love ❤️

This makes me angery, i wish i had a father like bob, hes trying, why dont the teenagers get a part time job, bob you are a great man.🤧🙏🏼🙏🏼

I've noticed that people who never had to struggle don't handle financial,job and or health declines well. The coping skills haven't been developed. Poorer people seem always in survival mode and plan multiple ways to combat hardships . The upper middle-class and higher keep looking for their cheese refusing to believe it is gone. If their self worth is tied to their social standing or "image" they refuse to save themselves early on by ditching The "status symbols, expensive homes, materials and debt." Humility and common sense seems harder to attain the wealthier one becomes.

It broke my heart that the kids make him drop them off in the back. My father is 77 years old now & we grew up poor. Broken down cars, beat up shoes, no eating out... you get the picture. My dad struggled finding work, but he took what he could get. I was proud of him no matter what. I could have never made him feel worse by showing how embarrassed I was. That would have broken his heart. Times have changed very much 🥺

These kids are spoiled. There are way worse off people. Be grateful for what you have, and NEVER be ashamed of your dad for doing the best he can!!!

Bob's case just goes to show you that his wife wasn't with him for love; she was with him for his $$$.

I hate it that the children are ashamed of their father. Such ungrateful kids. At least their father is living breathing within reach. How many children are missing fathers who are no longer among the living.

Bob’s daughters need to go to the south side of Chicago and volunteer in a soup kitchen for a few days. Maybe then they will realize and appreciate how good they still have it. Perspective is everything.

This is why even when times were good, we always lived below our means. We never bought new cars or took lavish vacations. I had an old flip phone when people I knew making less money than me were buying the latest and greatest new techy thing.

I’d like a full update on this episode. Praying for everyone

“It’s called the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.” George Carlin

His daughter is ungrateful, entitled and selfish, and his wife seems like the tree that she fell from. Seems like he’s doing everything possible to recover. Yet, instead of pulling together as a team, all they do is complain. They hate their life compared to what it used to be, but still have much more than many other Americans. When you have this type of family, nothing is ever good enough. He probably ran out of money so quickly because he didn’t manage money wisely and overspent trying to keep his ungrateful family happy, and keep up with the Jones.

When privileged people are forced to live the life a lot of us in the US live. Hits a little different doesn't it?

I volunteer once a month at a foodbank that has served as many as 150 families a week. Anyone who makes fun of those who are struggling are horrible people - they just need to wait - their time will come. Because pain and sorrow hits us all at one time or another.

A man's value as father or husband shouldn't be predicated on his paycheck.

If my husband is not welcome in my parent's home, then no one is going there for Christmas.

I can't say this enough folks, but when times are good, live as far beneath your means as you can and squirrel some money away, for times won't always be good. And stop keeping up with the Jones's, because they're a misstep away from the cliff just like you are.

His kids hate his car but they don't mind riding in it lol. Brats.

8 minutes in and the ungratefulness of his family makes me sick. They have ZERO idea what suffering is.

I don’t know why those in-laws are treating this dad so bad. Shame on them, he is doing everything possible.

My heart goes out to these folks, l remember the days when we barely made it. Thank God my husband and sons are all master electricians. We are blessed.

And btw. Can’t these 4 kids get a part time job at one of those fancy country clubs??

What is wrong with these people blaming poor Bob for this robbery. Is he an ATM? So what they only loved him when he was making 6 figures? No wonder our world is so messed up. From the macro level down to the micro level, there is no sympathy

What wife and children leave their DAD alone on Christmas? That’s just poor character, not economics.

My family went through this in the 80s. Dad lost his job making good money. And we moved into poverty but we managed it fine. We kids worked and helped. It worked out fine

Poor Bob. I hope things have improved for him. ❤

Once the paycheck was gone they treated him so bad. I am a bit upset this isn’t talked about more. Family is family. Money or no money. That’s sad.

Moral of the story: Do not live beyond your means, and always save for a rainy day. And props for that Dad. Shame on that mother and children.

It could happen to any one of us tomorrow...be kind

WoW! The lady in Everett Washington sure spent her life and money like it was never going to end! But, she's making it work. Better late than never when you are learning a valuable lesson.. praying for us poor people. ❤

My heart is literally breaking for BOB! How can his family be so disgusting to him. ALSO their daughter is 16 she can get a DAMN JOB!

This is a teachable moment. This is why saving is important. Don’t buy a giant house you can’t afford and fill it with stuff you don’t need. He was making great money, the family should have lived cheaper and bought a house they could pay off, a car that was cheaper, save for an emergency. Instead you created spoilt entitled kids and a selfish wife.

Bob’s wife should be a little kind ...he’s trying his best

Most people are happy to have that modest home and don't complain

America has been declining for years now. The gap between the rich and the poor began getting wider. COVID wasn’t what caused this mess. It was the straw that broke the camels back.

Ungrateful wife and children. There are homeless families living on the streets. Bob is trying. Barb and Tink are amazing.

Every person that complains about their job should watch this. Make you appreciate it.

I’m disgusted that Bob is sleeping in the man cave. I feel like his wife is showing the children that he’s not worthy by him being apart from the family. Shame on her, he deserves better

Madison, you’re 16. If you hate the car so much you can go out and get a part time job and save money to buy your own car. When keeping up with the Joneses goes wrong.

Facts: they have a roof over their head, food on the table and 2 parent home. They are crying for missed wealth....nothing more.

Bless this man. He's a man to be admired because he is an honest man.

Honestly, this is not even the worst. Be grateful.

It's outrageous that Bob's family deserts him on Christmas and treats him so badly. It's really selfish of them. Unfortunately, it doesn't look good for Bob because of his age. I hope things got better for him.

That so called crappy car is a whole lot better than most people have. Spoiled spoiled kids. They don't know how the average people live.

The older couple is truly an inspiring story wow

Lord this is reality. I pray this world gets better.

I haven't seen my father in over ten years. I have no idea what's like to have a caring and dedicated father as Bob. His family doesn't deserve him

Bob was very brave to do that interview. I pray for him and his family.

the older folks are such an inspiration and in touch with reality

Let’s see what the Kids accomplish in their lives. Bob is a great dad and done everything he could.

This poor man. He should drive his children to the front of the school, and refuse to carry such a heavy burden of shame. He provided for his family and the 2009 meltdown wasn't his fault.

It wasn’t the husband’s fault that he was laid off. Why is the family taking it out on him?? So not fair.

Bob's case was savage. Material things & keeping up an image means nothing. A family united in gratitude is what matters most.

My heart goes out to Bob, I want to tell you Bob, you are enough, you are worthy, you are a good husband and a good father, you are not only as good as your last pay cheque, My husband is 40 years old, and for 2 years he was out of work, he would look online everyday for a job he sent out 100s of cv's he was not even getting called for an interview let alone get employment. It has been very hard, we had to move into a garage, but God is faithful, we stuck together, instead of fighting each other we blessed each other instead of complaining about what we did not have we where thankful for what we do have, every meal we gave thanks for, we gave from the very little we had to others in need, circumstances are always set to change, it changed for us my husband is now employed and it will change for you too. start having an attitude of gratitude of thanking giving, and of love and things will change, know your self worth, because you are worthy and you will get there dont give up.

Man. I’m sorry Bob, I don’t think you deserve this treatment.

How is it possible that we are measuring a person's worth by how much their paycheck is? Bob seems like one of the best dads out there. Getting laid off can happen to anyone. This same situation happened to my own family when me and my brother were in our teens. We had to get out there and find whatever job was available and contribute to the family. We never blamed our dad for losing his job. We were proud of him and we felt it was our time to help out instead of just always depending on him. That's what a families are supposed to do, help each other in times of hardship. You only have one Dad in your life.

Barb and Tink are truly amazing inspiring souls… love and light ❤

I do feel sorry for these kids in a way but when I watched the documentaries about kids that walk 5-20km to go to school every day in the Sahara Desert, Bulgaria, Phillipines, Peru, Kenya, Russia or Bolivia and many other arduous & inhospitable places in this world makes me think about the way of life in how people truly value what they have. Whereas the poor children of Kenya (walking 5 km to school in 120 degree Fahrenheit dream of running water & sewage & have the least amount of money seem to have the most utmost respect and love for their families & cultures no matter how difficult the circumstances). Also considering when extremely poor children have to manage walking 2-4 hrs to & from school in -20 to 120 degree Fahrenheit weather climbing mountains, vines, jungle & rugged terrain just to get a 5 hr education during an average school day appreciate the chance for education brings me to tears. I cannot believe I complained at one time living in a trailer park walking 1.5 miles to school. Makes me appreciate what I have now, but I would've hated to go from bad to worse & couldn't imagine going from AMAZING to ok, but kids adapt more easily when they are raised with the correct morals & ethics I do believe. If children have happy fulfilling lives, I do believe they can triumph above the downgrading of a mansion to a single family ranch home rental. My father use to punish us when we said, "drop us off school 3 blocks before we get their" by installing an extremely loud AHHHUUUUGAH horn into the tiny Bright electric blue Gremlin car he'd use to drop us off at school once a week. Lol.. Hated it then, HILARIOUS NOW!. Brilliant FATHER! 👏 👏 👏

Why is the Wife and her family blaming the Dad. He lost his job , he wasn’t fired and he’s trying his best to do what he can. So the wife loves him when he can provide and when he can’t, then turns her back on him. This guy loves his children and I hope the children realize how lucky they are to have a father like him , who would do anything to support his children. BTW why doesn’t the wife work , and his teenage kids should work too.

Bob should shake himself off of those leeches and parasites he calls a family. That's what happens when you raise your family on material gifts, instead of human principles and true family values!

When my family hit hard times I walked my butt to a fastfood restaurant for an after school job. I helped my family growing up now retired and having raised my own family when times get tough i work in fast food. Pride goes before a fall

In “Merica”, (I hate that) “1 in 6 people do not know if they will eat today”. When I lost my career I took the year to look for work. I also was on a team that started a free health clinic, volunteered at the food pantry, and prayed... a lot. At the end of that year in my mid fifty’s I took a minimum wage no benefits job working at a plastics plant in the automotive industry. After 20+ years in healthcare this was my new career path. I’ve now been working full time with benefits for the past 7 years. Life has changed, my wife has been with me every step of the way. I keep in mind that just like before nothing in life is guaranteed. Live within your means, stay out of debt, save what you can, and count your blessings.

What do you mean "when does the positive stuff come". Pretty sure it was pretty positive and you wasn't complaining when he was bringing home 6 figures and ya was living in an huge house. Some people are just so unappreciative and ungrateful.

Some people just don't know what struggling looks like if you have food to eat and shelter you are fine. I feel bad for Bob because his family is blaming him for unfortunate events instead of eating humble pie. You do what you have to do until you can do better. Privilege is something else.

All of Bob's kids are able bodied and could help with part-time jobs from their more affluent neighbors like dog walking, baby sitting or whatever. I was 'working' at 10 years old and had an industrious babysitting business.

I remember watching this before, I wonder how they did during the pandemic and now, I hated how Bob was treated

I know so many children out here and mothers out here that would kill for a father/partner like Bob. The ungratefulness of his family hurts my heart. Positive thoughts create positive realities.

"I hate this car"Be grateful you have a car Madison.

Another thing that makes American lives difficult is that "High Living Standard" idea...Americans are so used to living it which makes them uncompromising even if the situation really calls for them to adjust the way they should live when life demands they have to.

Key take away...Don’t spoil your kids. Will they stand behind you when the chips are down? Will they appreciate the loving parent that you are? Will they empathize with the pain that you are going through? Will they be able to weather the storms they will have to deal with as adults or will they spend their life trying to blame their misfortunes on others? Will they ever be able to look at those less fortunate without distain for their poverty? Will they ever be able to appreciate the truly important things in life, not the car they drive or the clothes they wear or the house they live in? We shouldn’t be afraid to say no to our kids. It’s in their best interest to know how to weather the storms and still feel good in their own skins.

I started to make my own lunches when I was 12. Breakfast by myself earlier. These kids need to learn how to do things themselves.

That's a 'modest' house? These people don't know what poor is.

I would love to hear that Bob is OK and doing better. That is my hope. Bless us all out there just trying to survive🙏🏻❤️

I realize this was filmed in 2012, but things are worse today. The economy might be better in 2024, but food prices are high, gas prices are high. I pray Annette found employment and her life is much better today.

Who's watching this in 2020 where things are worse than ever & during a pandemic? I pray for everybody struggling right now. 🙏📿🕯️

This is what happens when rich people stop being rich. They were not poor growing up and it shows. $960 is a lot for food. And that big house with a finished basement. Sheeesh.

I feel for Bob. He is really trying. Some people would have given up or think they are too good for certain jobs, etc. He really needs his family to support him. And quite frankly....kids can work, too. I had to when I was 15.

Living poor in a wealthy area inflicts pain on the entire family . That family is trying to live in the past and they are slowly dying. Those kids could have made new friends and taken jobs like other working-class kids with a sense of pride.

This documentary is more than a decade old. There is a much bigger one coming.

Annette, consider starting your own Law Business from your Apartment. Many need your help! Charging a more reasonable rate, will get you more clients!😊 (May GOD protect and bless you in all ways!!!!! Amen!!!!!)

Let me just say, apart from my heart going out to all of these families that are struggling I absolutely adore Lisa Lynn and the work that she does

Poor guy 😥. He seems like a great dad and husband. His family doesn't appreciate him. They should be grateful. I have seen men that have a lot of money and still don't do for their families as much as this guy does.