Generation Nation: A PBS American Portrait Story

Explore how people in different age groups see themselves and their place in America.

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Generation Nation: A PBS American Portrait Story PBS American Portrait

Premiered October 26, 2020

Generation Nation: A PBS American Portrait Story

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.

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Episode Extras

Americans share the wisdom and energy that are exchanged between generations.

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Clip

Deleted Scene: Intergenerational Bonds

15-year-old Arwyn spends time with her older sister before she heads off to college.

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Clip

Deleted Scene: Arwyn And Julia

Arwyn, a rising high school sophomore, is anxious to get back to her normal teenage life.

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A High Schooler Shares Her Experience With Online School

Kat, a bartender and housekeeper, lost both her jobs at the start of the pandemic.

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Clip

A Mom Makes Sacrifices After Facing Unemployment

Marna, an 80 year-old photographer, is determined to be published in a major publication.

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A Photographer Tries Fulfilling A Lifelong Dream

Program Specials & Extras

Three renowned artists bring major new public artwork to New York, Dallas and Tulsa.

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Clip

Public Art Preview

Intimate self-shot stories reveal what it really means to be American today.

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Preview

Series Preview | PBS American Portrait

Explore how people in different age groups see themselves and their place in America.

Watch (25:53)

Special

Generation Nation: A PBS American Portrait Story

About the Program

PBS American Portrait

PBS American Portrait invites America to participate in a national conversation about what it really means to be an American today. To answer this question, PBS and its partners collected thousands of photos, videos and text submissions from across America to capture the state and spirit of our nation.