Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic-and What We Can Do About It

So many well-intentioned, loving parents in my orbit have teens and young adults who are struggling with mental health concerns despite (or maybe, as this book recounts, because of) being high-achievers, rigorously building their high school resumes to get into a ‘good college.’ As the author indicates, this is a book that is largely about a privileged demographic, but maybe one that serves as a bellwether for our society. The fear of loss is real in a society that seems more stratified and more precarious with each passing year, and our adolescents are paying the price. The author unpacks the various forces that are pushing us, at times subconsciously, in this harmful direction and, thank goodness, offers some practical solutions show more for parents to help offload the pressure and stress being placed on their children. This is a useful, well-written, and deeply interesting book. show less

This book was exactly what I needed. It was healing for me. It helped me gain perspective and see how achievement culture has contributed to me underprioritizing my relationships and my well-being. I felt like the author shared helpful tools for coping with academic pressure and recognising healthy vs. unhealthy competition. I think this is a great read for people who struggle to see their worth beyond what they have achieved academically or professionally.