What is
Can't Even by Anne Helen Petersen about?
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.
Who should read
Can't Even?
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.
Who is Anne Helen Petersen?
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.
Is
Can't Even worth reading?
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.
How does
Can't Even explain millennial burnout?
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.
What role does capitalism play in
Can't Even?
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.
How does
Can't Even address social media's impact?
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.
Does
Can't Even compare millennials to other generations?
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.
What does
Can't Even say about parenting and burnout?
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.
What are the main criticisms of
Can't Even?
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.
Why is
Can't Even relevant in 2025?
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.
Key quote from
Can't Even:
“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.