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A review by sarahs_reading_again
Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation by Anne Helen Petersen
4.0
As a burnt out millennial myself I hardcore related to many of Petersen’s content. It’s not just “Is it only me who feels this way?” — but more of a “this is a societal problem that has failed to change for the benefit of the common worker.”
Women are constantly treated as (in her words) a “second class citizen,” with a paycheck based on a fraction of a mans wage, limited career advancement and the full expectation to rear children at the same time.
Despite the constant research and studies that provide working less or even a shortened work week boosts both moral and productivity, the US fails to integrate that into the norm that hasn’t changed since the industrial revolution. Not to mention that jobs are expecting the same or even more work with less benefits. There is no guaranteed reward to the employee. God forbid you want ONE day off of work - but is it really? First you need it approved and second you have to try your darn hardest not to think of work, or become mildly anxious at the overwhelming emails flooding your inbox.
This is not even to mention the lack of pay, which we so desperately need to cover our basics. Inflation has skyrocketed yet we are barely paid over minimum wage with the expectations to dive into home debt - if we are approved, at that - and make a living from our non guaranteed jobs.
This is desperately needed to be shared across the board. Because we need change. We need it NOW before a collapse of society. Life isn’t supposed to be this way. We are all exhausted. We aren’t supposed to be in constant anxiety or sacrifice our well being to overwork for someone else’s pocket. We are only human, and as much as a human as the person you see in a grocery store or driving next to you.
Women are constantly treated as (in her words) a “second class citizen,” with a paycheck based on a fraction of a mans wage, limited career advancement and the full expectation to rear children at the same time.
Despite the constant research and studies that provide working less or even a shortened work week boosts both moral and productivity, the US fails to integrate that into the norm that hasn’t changed since the industrial revolution. Not to mention that jobs are expecting the same or even more work with less benefits. There is no guaranteed reward to the employee. God forbid you want ONE day off of work - but is it really? First you need it approved and second you have to try your darn hardest not to think of work, or become mildly anxious at the overwhelming emails flooding your inbox.
This is not even to mention the lack of pay, which we so desperately need to cover our basics. Inflation has skyrocketed yet we are barely paid over minimum wage with the expectations to dive into home debt - if we are approved, at that - and make a living from our non guaranteed jobs.
This is desperately needed to be shared across the board. Because we need change. We need it NOW before a collapse of society. Life isn’t supposed to be this way. We are all exhausted. We aren’t supposed to be in constant anxiety or sacrifice our well being to overwork for someone else’s pocket. We are only human, and as much as a human as the person you see in a grocery store or driving next to you.