陶建平（袁牧之 饰）和黎丽琳（陈波儿 饰）是一对受过教育的青年男女，同时也是一对恋人。毕业后俩人结婚成家，过着平静舒适的生活。陶建平就职的公司内部充满了尔虞我诈，勾心斗角，人与人之间很难相处。为此，陶建平陷入苦闷之中。最后，正直的他愤然辞职，失业在家。而妻子求职的公司马经理（周伯勋 饰）是个色狼，一见面，他就垂涎黎丽琳的美色，不断对其骚扰，黎为了求得一份工作之不易，强忍不悦。失业的陶建平不忍让妻子养活自己，到处求职，却屡屡碰壁，只好去工厂做苦工。最后妻子实在忍受不了老板的欺侮而失去工作，产后意外受了重伤。无奈的丈夫偷出工钱为妻子看病，却双双走上不归路......

A young prostitute, who is trying to give her infant son a good start in life, must contend with a coercive pimp and the prejudices of others.

The story is about a fisherman's family living near to Shanghai. In the beginning, twin babies are born, a boy and a girl. Their growing-up is briefly sketched, and their friendship with "young master", a boy from rich family about their age.