[GoneGirl]

I don't think it is that unusual or interesting that Geek wished he was a girl first. In first grade I had a dream that I "changed skin" and woke up as a girl. I believe that was the beginning of my dream to be a girl. In high school I just wanted to shave my legs and underarms. The want for breast didn't start till I was in my 20s.

I see your point, and I don't disagree that it's not unusual. It was interesting, though, from my perspective, because I personally didn't follow that pattern.

I think there are many boys who have a subconscious female gender identity, but deny its existence at the conscious level. They are in denial of it, and do all they can to stifle it, even to the point of pursuing hyper-masculine behaviors. These boys follow the sex role patterns of their cisgender fellows by marrying, having children, etc. They tend to be late in discovering and/or acknowledging their transgender natures. Often the desire to have breasts, to cross dress, and engage in sexual fantasies is a precursor to an understanding that they have a female personality that is crying for expression.

That's my pattern, and it's why my wife was so shocked when I revealed that side of me. She said that she saw absolutely no warning signs of my feminine psyche up to the day I spill the beans about everything.

So, I do think it is interesting that some males are aware of their desire to be girls early on while others don't. If you can believe some of the studies that have been done, those who know early tend to also be sexually attracted to men once puberty begins. I want to emphasize tend, since there are always exceptions, and I don't mean to imply anything about anybody.

Clara