Life in a small redneck town. I know it well. I made my escape from my own childhood hellhole, but unfortunately every now & again now as an adult I have to relive that nightmare by way of visits to my wife's dad & step mother who live out in the local boonies. Fun times. :smt009
Your son I assume has lived his whole life in that town and as messed up as you clearly seeing it as being for him unfortunately it's what he views as "normal" so understandable why he may not want to leave.
I've always hated it here (& places like it), but like a dummy I let life kick the shit out of me & was convinced by others & myself that I was stupid to want more out of life. Of course I came to know better; I just have no idea what I want to do or where I want to go.
Yeah, he's been here most of his life, & he can't see leaving behind his childhood friends or his grandparents. If I ever escape, I don't see him staying behind, so hopefully he'll learn that life has more to offer. I just wish the hard-headed little shit would've have wanted to go to college, but he always hated school. He didn't believe me when I told him that college was different & worth a try. Hopefully he'll change his mind at some point. I couldn't wait to get out after I graduated.