"Whereas the tourist generally hurries back home at the end of a few weeks or months, the traveler, belonging no more to one place than the next, moves slowly, over periods of years from one part of the earth to another." -Paul Bowles
Tuesday 28 June 2011
Are you a Trailing Spouse?
The trailing spouse is often defined as one who makes the move abroad to follow a partner on a work assignment and due to visa restrictions, is prevented from seeking employment for themselves. These spouses are often seen as either living a luxurious, carefree lifestyle, or being bored and neglected. It's a narrow definition and one that I think should be broadened. Many of us end up expats out of circumstance rather than choice. While I wanted to live abroad, Australia wasn't on my radar. Now that I've settled here I like it, but I definitely followed my husband, and I have often felt that the term trailing spouse applies to me. Did you ever consider yourself a trailing spouse, and if so, why?
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3 comments:
I don't think of you as trailing anything Suzer! More of a leader:-)
Being a trailing spouse is hard simply because you have to adapt to new environment and sacrifice your life for your husband.
I wished I was a trailing spouse. It would've made everything so much easier! Just kidding. I'm doing the move solo (will be making the big move in July) and I just wish I had an extra hand in packing, and financial matters. Right now, everything seems so overwhelming!
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