[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by audiman08

Maybe some of you have experienced the "good ol boy" system first hand. After getting married about a year ago, I moved from a large city to this small Missouri town (my wife's hometown). It's been culture shock to say the least. I've been trying to finish my masters through distance learning and was sure I would get this local museum curating position. I'm half way into a masters degree, and had high-hopes for this job, as did my wife. Anyway, come to find out a local was picked (and according to my wife, this individual had inside connections, no degree, and no background in historical work). I've come to resent this town, the politics, and the lack of opportunity. I'm teaching part-time now, but I get paid peanuts. I've considered taking an internship for the time being just to get back to St. Louis. Undoubtedly, this will put a strain on my marriage. Maybe it's what I need, or maybe I'm just looking for an escape..I don't know what to do.

It's hard to live in a small town and be defined by your wife. Shortly after being married I moved to Great Bend (pop 15000) 20 minutes from my wife's hometown. My work was actually in my wife's hometown (pop 800) with my father in law, so I spent most of my time there. Great guy, and nothing against him, but it was difficult largely being defined by my wife. Everyone knew me because of who I married, not because of me. Ultimately we moved a few years later because of a lack of opportunity, but there were many reasons that I was not happy. It's a hard spot to be in, good luck.