Parents Condemn Use Of 'Fun Home' Graphic Novel In Mendham Classrooms

MENDHAM, NJ — Several parents of West Morris Regional High School District students are outraged over what they see as an inappropriate graphic novel being taught at a local high school.

Alison Bechdel's 2006 graphic memoir "Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic" has been included in some 12th-grade English Literature classes at West Morris Regional High School and has sparked heated community debate, with some parents calling for the work to be replaced.

The memoir focuses on issues such as sexual orientation, suicide, emotional abuse and complex family life.

The story references the author's childhood, focusing on her relationship with her closeted gay father, Bruce. As Alison grows older and realizes she is a lesbian, she and Bruce are forced to confront how his repression may have influenced her self-image and how she dealt with her sexuality.

Since its publication, the work has inspired a Tony Award-winning musical and has drawn both praise and criticism for the way it addresses tragic and complex situations.

West Morris Regional High School District Superintendent Michael Ben-David says that the inclusion of this book is not a new concept for the school district.

"We've had the book for a couple of years now. It's on our reading list or our curriculum material resource list. This is to say it's not part of the curriculum, but it's a tool that can be used to impart the curriculum," Ben-David said.

A blog post on a local parents' union page drew several comments on the subject, and the work has recently been the subject of formal complaints, according to Ben-David.

"The parents that have raised an issue with Fun Home have followed the process nicely. They've completed the citizen's request form. They filed it in a timely manner, the department is now reviewing it. This is how this is supposed to work," Ben-David said.

Parents and alumni have expressed both support and opposition to Bechdel's work, with some claiming that the content is too mature for high school students.

The online parent forum claims the novel shows a number of obscenities, including depictions of sexual acts and drug use, along with offensive sentiments that are not appropriate for minors. "This book is 17 and up, however, the graphic sex acts displayed in the book look more like an XXX magazine," the post states.

"There are people that have an issue, but we've also received equal or more feedback from parents about how great the book is and how important it is for kids to have a broad swath of reading that they're exposed to. Additionally, you should also be aware that that book is also on the International Baccalaureate reading list for high school students," Ben-David said.

The graphic novel, which is currently taught in only a few of the district's 12th-grade English Literature classes, has previously been approved by the school district as a valuable resource for teachers to choose from.