Why We Can't Sleep

Why We Can't Sleep Women's New Midlife Crisis

Ada Calhoun2020
When Ada Calhoun found herself in the throes of a midlife crisis, she thought that she had no right to complain. She was married with children and a good career. So why did she feel miserable? And why did it seem that other Generation X women were miserable, too? Calhoun decided to find some answers. She looked into housing costs, HR trends, credit card debt averages, and divorce data. At every turn, she saw a pattern: sandwiched between the Boomers and the Millennials, Gen X women were facing new problems as they entered middle age, problems that were being largely overlooked. Speaking with women across America about their experiences as the generation raised to "have it all," Calhoun found that most were exhausted, terrified about money, under-employed, and overwhelmed. Instead of their issues being heard, they were told instead to lean in, take "me-time," or make a chore chart to get their lives and homes in order. In Why We Can't Sleep, Calhoun opens up the cultural and political contexts of Gen X's predicament and offers solutions for how to pull oneself out of the abyss--and keep the next generation of women from falling in. The result is reassuring, empowering, and essential reading for all middle-aged women, and anyone who hopes to understand them.
Sign up to use

Reviews

Photo of Jeannette Ordas
Jeannette Ordas@kickpleat
3 stars
Jan 5, 2023
Photo of Rebeca Keren Nuñez
Rebeca Keren Nuñez@rebecanunez
4 stars
Jun 17, 2022
Photo of Kirby Drake
Kirby Drake@kirbster
3 stars
Jan 10, 2022
Photo of Rebeca Keren Nuñez
Rebeca Keren Nuñez@rebecanunez
4 stars
Oct 25, 2021
Photo of Beth Seaton
Beth Seaton@bethseaton
3 stars
Nov 7, 2023
Photo of Alexandra Sklar
Alexandra Sklar@alexandrasklar
2 stars
Dec 17, 2022
Photo of Satty
Satty@esscee2105
4 stars
May 18, 2022
Photo of Liz Prinz
Liz Prinz@prinzy
4 stars
Apr 4, 2022
Photo of Allison Hornery
Allison Hornery@allisonhornery
5 stars
Jul 30, 2021