It appears the majority of members are over 40. Why is that do you think?

[crashd0309]

Does anyone know of any studies out there that would explain why a lot of the members here are over 40? Just curious. My desire to dress was dormant from the time I was 10 until recently, after I was 40.

[Jeanna]

It may because our testosterone levels drop like a stone around that age. But I remembered something about mid life crisis, what's that all about?

[cdinmd206]

Probaly because by the time we reach 40 we are tired of always having to take care of others and put our little enjoyments to the side.

[BobbiU]

My initial reaction is that

a) By the time someone is 40, they've come to accept who they are, and that cross dressing is in fact a part of them. At least that's part of my case, I would have never wanted to be known as a "crossdresser" up until a few years ago, even though I've had a desire for some female lingerie since my teens

b) As we get older, I also think we're more open to seeking out advice from others, and sharing our experiences with others. We've accepted who we are, and are now looking to build and developer that part of our personality rather then being ashamed of it, and hiding it.

[Kelly Greene]

Could it be that when we reach the age of about 40 that we finally realize that resistance is futile.

[Lorileah]

Probaly because by the time we reach 40 we are tired of always having to take care of others and put our little enjoyments to the side.

Maybe a little but there is also the time is running out and why the heck am I trying to keep this inside syndrome. You have less requirements on you as you age so you get to reflect and think. You get tired of having every tell you what you SHOULD be. And the younger kids who dress don't seem to have the stigma

[sterling12]

All of The Above, combined for many Folks with a realization that life is finite. When you lose friends and loved ones, (A logical Aspect of Middle Age) you begin to realize that your life will also end one day. Then.....you start thinking about "What have I missed? What haven't I done that needs doing?"

I think that has a lot to do with People "coming out" in Middle Age. Let's call it "taking advantage of Opportunities before they are lost." Joining This Forum, just one of many things that will probably change for Trans people in Middle Age. It's also worth noting that many TS Gals decide it's time to Fully Transition at this similar age.

Peace and Love, Joanie

[Shapeshiffter]

Well Iv'e been underdressing for over 30 years. Until I found this forum , who would I tallk to about it? I think it because of the internet. Everyone can still be undercover. At least until they get used to the idea of talking with others.

[joanieb]

I guess I would simply say, because we can.

Life changes when you reach 40, those things that were once important Kids Career Marriage aren't so much. Many have already mentioned that you now need time for yourself rather then making time for others. You've matured, your a little bit more brave and of course curious. It's easier to seek out others when there is something in it for you. I'm sure everyone has their own reasons. But basically, you have more time available to you, you know more about yourself, you aren't as timid and you want to share being a girl with others so that you have something more in your life.

[Marcia Blue]

[SIZE="3"]I think at 40 plus years we have had enough of repressing our desire, and feel confident enough in who we are, to explore our female side in greater depth.

I never totally gave up dressing. The urges were stronger after 40. I did not have the courage to go out in public till I was 50, and once out I wondered why I had not done so earlier. So much time lost and so much left to do. [/SIZE]

[Sophie86]

I've done the guy thing, and I no longer feel the need to prove my manhood to anyone.

[CalamityJane]

It is not really possible to answer that question without doing a survey of all the active members of the forum, there are quite a few younger members but it is probably true to say that the mature members make up the bulk of users on the forum. Like many others here my desire to dress has been with me from since I can remember and has never been dormant at all.

It is possible that some of the younger people feel slightly intimidated by the forum, after all they are opening up about a side of their life with still carries some social stigma, and young people today are under some pressure to "fit in" and play by the rules.

It must be a bit easier for the more mature person who is comfortable with themselves to come forward and present on the forum, although it is easier for some more than others.

One last aspect to consider is the level of confidence that a young person might have, just because you see a group of kids displaying great bravado does not mean that when one is on their own that confidence disappears and they are left in turmoil pondering how to deal with all these ideas of crossdressing.

[docrobbysherry]

Before, and AFTER I started dressing at age 50+, I wondered:

"Why would a decent looking guy want to become an unattractive woman?"

I may have answered my own question! Because after being an unattractive guy my whole life, in my 60's, I get to be a HOT CHICK!? How cool is THAT!?

I've noticed MANY OF U do the same! You're PRETTIER AS FEMALES!

[Kelly Blaine]

I do think that as we get older we say the heck with it, I was born in the wrong body and will do my best to live the live I am suppose to.

[LitaKelley]

I asked my self the same question. Matter of fact, that very question is one of the things that brought me here to crossdressers.com in the first place. Since then, I continued to ponder various things and I found out about andropause as on possibility, nonetheless, I'm no longer questioning my self or looking for reasons and am just embracing it with love and joy with plans on moving forward.

[Daintre]

My position is this. The over 40 crowd did not have access to the internet when they were young. CDing was thought of as perverse and it was hidden deep. We felt alone and that we were the only one thinking like this.

The times have changed now and we finally found a place where we can be with people like ourselves and that gave us a sense of community.

I also think that the younger CDs are far more open with their friends and because of Google, they are better informed than we were. Our Young Member section is thriving and that means their numbers are slowly increasing.

[NicoleScott]

I didn't have this internet distraction when younger. So I just dressed up more then.

[NathalieX66]

When you're in your 20's you are trying to put your life together. You are persuing relationships and career opportunities. The world seems competitive at that age, and you are trying to do what seems right in order to succeed.
When you get older, and many events have occurred in your life: for instance, you get married, have kids, own a home.....then you come to realize that your urge to crossdress since youth never went away. The way I see it, we TG folk (cd'ers & TS) are today what gay was to my parent's 40something years. I'm hetero, btw. However, I am amazed at the startling amount of friends & aquaintances of my parents who started out with marriages & children, then divorced afterwards after admitting they were gay or lesbian. It just seems like society forces people to live in a box, thten that box becomes too small after a while.

[Alice Torn]

[SIZE="4"]Being single all my life, and going to many singles activities, I also notice, that MANY wives divorce their husbands, about 40 to 50 yrs old. These women want to "spread their wings", leave the fart behind them. Yes, it also seems there are many men looking for another mate, too. At singles dances, there are men ranging from 45, to 70 after the same women! Too many men after too few women. No wonder so many start dressing![/SIZE]

[Christy_M]

You're PRETTIER AS FEMALES!

Well, Doc, I am not sure what to say...very unusual experience for me...

I am not sure I ever tried to pretty myself up in guy mode but as subjectivity goes, you are probably right. Even though I feel I am not attractive as a woman, I am sure I am not attractive as a guy.

[melina]

Wow, thats a good one. There were no outlets except for a few gay bars in the 70s 80s. Thank GOD for the internet or al gore, for me to find out that I was not the only one. I find myself drawn to CDs, but what a paranoid bunch we are. I am here to share this side of me that no one else knows about. whether we hide behind this keyboard or actually meet, I am truely happy to meet all of you, whether here or elsewhere.. cheers!

[Ann Thomas]

I love this thread - so many good answers. For me I think it's related to hormones like one post side, but it goes beyond that into all the other areas as well!

Hugs,
Ann

[Chickhe]

I agree a little bit with the mid-life comments, except for myself the dressing was always there, although I really supressed it, I think it was the internet and connections with others in the same situation that really allowed me to work through my own issues and explore it. I wonder about the younger crowd, it seems maybe they have integrated this activity better and are accepted in society so no need for special group? We are in the generation that saw our parents go to jail for dressing in drag and our kids walk around in drag as a fashion statement... Maybe that's what is difficult for us, because its a mixed bag of acceptance out there.

[Sarah Doepner]

By the time I got to 40 I began expecting people to listen to me. If I'd found the site before then I would have just lurked in the background, but now I'm full of false confidence built on years of experience and line of B.S. that will stand on it's own.

(Younger CD's Please correct me here if I'm making assumptions that are wrong) I think much of it relates to a more open society for younger Crossdressers. They have options that those of us who are older never imagined and can take advantage of them. We come here because it's realtively safe and we can remain anonymous, still fearing being outted in our communities. We stick around because we need to feel a part of a community and this is one of the best neighborhoods around.

[Lucy_Bella]

(Younger CD's Please correct me here if I'm making assumptions that are wrong) I think much of it relates to a more open society for younger Crossdressers. They have options that those of us who are older never imagined and can take advantage of them. We come here because it's realtively safe and we can remain anonymous, still fearing being outted in our communities. We stick around because we need to feel a part of a community and this is one of the best neighborhoods around.
I completey agree and not in a bad way.. It's never easy to go against societys grain.