Human civilization has been sustained through the exchange between generations. Hear the life lessons that harmonize and grow out of different generations working together to make a better world.

15-year-old Arwyn struggles with the reality that her sister, Julia, will soon be heading off to college. Although she is excited for her older sister, Arwyn worries she will feel lonely once Julia is gone.

Explore how people in different age groups see themselves and their place in the America. Through self-shot video, they share common experiences that bind age groups together and generational differences that put them at odds with one another.

Arwyn is about to start her sophomore year of high school amidst the pandemic. She is determined to get a sense of normalcy back into her teenage life while attending school online.

Kat, like many middle-aged Americans, has the responsibility of providing for her children. However, Kat, a bartender and housekeeper, lost both of her jobs at the start of the pandemic. Now she must figure out how to pay the mortgage and her health insurance, keep food on the table and provide for her household, including her autistic son.

Marna put a lot of her dreams on hold early in life to raise a family, but the older she gets, the more passionate she becomes about her photography career. With her 80th birthday approaching, Marna has never been more motivated to reach her life-long goal of getting her work published.

Americans across the country show off their chosen families and discuss what it means to be bound by love instead of blood.

Amelia and her sister have a conversation ahead of Amelia’s visit. They reflect on the difficulties they faced while their father was in prison. Now that he’s out, they are looking forward to reconnecting with him.

Lumiere, a recent film school graduate, wants to document their family’s stories before it’s too late. Their grandfather’s dementia is threatening to erase a good portion of the family’s collective memory. They traveled to their grandparents’ house in the midst of the COVID pandemic to help take care of them and capture the stories only they can tell.

Lumiere and their family go through resumes of potential caretakers for their grandfather. They struggle to find one that fits all of their requirements. Lumiere expresses concern at the thought of a stranger taking care of their family.

Americans across the country show how creativity brings their families together. From dance routines to unique artwork, these family units are redefining quality time.

Amelia prepares to reunite with her father, who was recently acquitted after 10 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. She had plans to visit him before COVID hit, but the pandemic prolonged their separation. As she reflects on the period of her life she lived without her father, she wonders if that gap will be felt in their relationship.

See a moving and meaningful picture of families in America today and the way these relationships shape us. Families of all shapes and sizes give us a look into their lives, revealing how we value our families now more than ever.

PBS invites America to be a part of its biggest initiative yet, PBS American Portrait, a national storytelling initiative that seeks to define what it really means to be an American today. To answer this question, PBS and its partners are collecting photos, videos and text submissions from across America to capture the state and spirit of our nation. Be heard and share your story now.