gender dysphoria –> gender policing

Each time I read Fun Home, I become more and more aware of Bruce’s complicated relationship with gender, both within himself and through Alison. Much like how Riki Anne Wichins describes how gender policing and cissexism/cisnormativity affected her childhood, we can see how Bruce, who is not only a closeted gay man but one who has expressed interest in crossdressing (in the photo Alison finds of him in a woman’s bathing suit) and in the possibility of being trans (in the car with Alison on the way to the movies), struggles to balance his gender and sexual identities along with being a “normal” undertaker and family man in central Pennsylvania. Not only do we see gender dysphoria in Bruce, but we see him trying to squash it (or at least brush it off) with Alison, who is fascinated by a butch trucker in a diner, abhors wearing dresses and barrettes, and rues the day her breasts start developing. It seems as though college was Bruce’s time to explore these hidden parts of his identity, as on page 120 Alison first believes the swimsuit getup to be some sort of fraternity prank, and then wonders if the photograph taken on the top of Bruce’s frat house was possibly taken by a (presumably male) lover. College is also the place where Alison meets other gay people her age, starts being able to dress herself without her father’s scrutiny, and eventually has her first relationship with a woman. One can see how Bruce became part of a cycle of gender policing, as he himself was probably policed by his parents, and how Alison breaks out of the cycle and is able to live more freely as not only a lesbian but as a butch lesbian.

One thought on “gender dysphoria –> gender policing”

  1. You bring up a very insightful point. Bruce’s actions display how he perpetuates gender policing while also showing how he has been subjected to it. His policing Allison as a child remained a constant in her life until she had space to express herself and explore her identity. Bruce has constructed and performed his family life in an attempt to display a facade of a heteronormative family. When Allison expresses interest in ordering a custom made shirt and Bruce says “I’ll have to measure your appendages” expressing discomfort and almost resentment. In addition, when Allison expresses any desire to dress more “masculine,” she is met with her father’s objection.

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