Can't Even by Anne Helen Petersen Summary

Can't Even examines burnout as a defining condition for millennials, linking it to systemic issues like unchecked capitalism, eroded labor protections, and social media’s pressure to curate a "perfect" life. The book combines sociohistorical analysis, interviews, and cultural critique to explore how work, parenting, and social dynamics perpetuate exhaustion, arguing that burnout stems from institutional failures rather than individual shortcomings.

Millennials grappling with chronic stress, employers seeking to understand generational workplace challenges, and anyone interested in the societal roots of burnout will find this book insightful. It’s particularly relevant for readers seeking a data-driven critique of modern work culture and its impact on mental health.

Anne Helen Petersen is a journalist, cultural critic, and former BuzzFeed senior writer with a PhD in media studies. Known for her viral 2019 article on millennial burnout, she writes about labor, celebrity culture, and generational dynamics, blending academic rigor with accessible analysis.

Yes, for its incisive exploration of systemic burnout causes, though critics note it offers more diagnosis than solutions. Petersen’s mix of personal narratives, historical context, and sharp commentary makes it a compelling primer on millennial struggles.

The book frames burnout as a product of precarious work conditions, student debt, and societal expectations to optimize every aspect of life. It argues that millennials face unprecedented pressure to monetize hobbies, maintain social media personas, and achieve unattainable work-life balance.

Petersen identifies unchecked capitalism—including gig economy exploitation, stagnant wages, and weakened unions—as a core driver of burnout. She traces how neoliberal policies shifted risk from institutions to individuals, leaving millennials overworked and financially insecure.

The book critiques social media for amplifying anxiety through performative perfectionism, where self-worth becomes tied to curated online identities. Petersen highlights how platforms like Instagram enforce unsustainable comparisons, exacerbating feelings of inadequacy.

Yes, it contrasts millennials’ economic instability (e.g., student debt, unaffordable housing) with boomers’ relative financial security, emphasizing how systemic inequities—not laziness—shape generational struggles.

Petersen argues modern parenting intensifies burnout, as millennial parents face pressure to “optimize” child-rearing while juggling careers and financial strain. The book critiques unrealistic expectations of “intensive motherhood” in a culture lacking paid leave or childcare support.

Some reviewers note the book focuses heavily on middle-class experiences and offers few actionable solutions. Others praise its diagnostic clarity but wish it provided more pathways for individual or collective resistance.

As remote work blurs boundaries and economic instability persists, the book’s analysis of burnout’s structural roots remains urgent. Its critique of productivity culture resonates amid ongoing debates about labor rights and mental health.

“Burnout is a systemic condition, not a personal failure.” This line underscores the book’s central thesis: solutions require societal change, not just individual resilience.