Watch Hard Earned

Hard Earned was an acclaimed six-part documentary series produced by Al Jazeera America that premiered on May 3, 2015. The series follows five families from across the United States as they struggle with the challenges of poverty and the pursuit of the American dream. Each episode focuses on one family and their daily struggles as they try to make ends meet and achieve a better life for themselves and their loved ones.

The families featured in the series come from different socioeconomic backgrounds and face a range of unique obstacles. In Chicago, we meet Emilia Stancati and her husband Ricardo, a Mexican immigrant who works tirelessly to provide for their three children. Emilia works long hours as a waitress while also attending college, hoping to secure a better future for her family. In Milwaukee, we meet 30-year-old construction worker Jose Merced and his wife Elizabeth, who are raising two young children while trying to pay off their mounting debts. In Virginia, we meet single mom Ashley Hunt, who works multiple jobs to support her three children while also pursuing a degree in nursing.

The series also introduces viewers to two other families- in rural Johnson City in Tennessee, we meet 22-year-old mother of two, 20-year-old father of two, both living in poverty with their children, and in Oakland, California, a retired nurse, a former addict and a former football player trying to make ends meet in the Bay Area.

Through intimate interviews and on-the-ground footage, the series offers a sobering look at the realities of poverty in America, from the struggle with hunger and homelessness to the challenges of obtaining healthcare and education. The families in Hard Earned are hardworking individuals who are doing their best to provide for themselves and their loved ones, but they are constantly facing setbacks and challenges that are often out of their control.

One of the strengths of Hard Earned is the way it humanizes the issue of poverty and puts a face to the statistics. By following the lives of these five families, the audience gains a deeper understanding of the everyday struggles that millions of Americans face. The series highlights the structural inequalities and inadequate safety nets that keep many families in poverty, despite their best efforts.

Throughout the series, the producers of Hard Earned also take a nuanced approach to the issue of poverty and avoid oversimplifying the problem. They highlight the complexities of each family's unique situation and the systemic issues that contribute to their struggles. The series does not offer easy solutions or quick fixes but instead challenges viewers to confront the difficult truths about poverty in America and to consider alternative approaches to tackling the issue.

In addition to offering a heartbreaking but essential look at poverty in America, Hard Earned is also a compelling portrait of the human experience. The families in the series are relatable and likable, and viewers will find themselves rooting for them as they navigate the challenges of everyday life. The series offers a reminder that the struggle for a better life is universal, and that every family has a unique story to tell.

Overall, Hard Earned is a moving and thought-provoking series that tackles one of the biggest issues facing our society. By offering an up-close and personal look at the lives of five families struggling with poverty, the series raises important questions about the American dream and prompts viewers to think critically about the structural inequalities that keep so many families in poverty. Hard Earned is a must-watch for anyone interested in social justice, economic inequality, or the human experience.

Hard Earned is a series that ran for 1 seasons (7 episodes) between May 3, 2015 and on Al Jazeera America