Is it the genes?

[NikiMichelle]

I have never been able to find out if CD'ing is ever inherited ? I have wondered if any of my male relatives (father, uncles, grandfathers, etc.) were crossdressers and that it was passed on to me through the genes? As I am in my 50's and still hide the fact I Cd (only my wife knows) I have no doubt that my earlier generation relatives would have hidden that fact as well so who would know this?

Does anyone out there know if there is any research on CD'ing being passed done through generations? Or better still know first hand of any of their relatives being CD??

It is an interesting thought to me....

[Kelly DeWinter]

Science has long held that genetic traits can be passed along, however to my knowledge there is at this time no known tg or cd gene. But science does not know what all of the genes in the human genome do. This link (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causes_of_transsexuality) to Wikipedia stays up to date.

On a personal note. I have a niece who is CD/TG/genderfluid, but who does not know about me. For personal reasons, I have kept it that way, but for years have encouraged her to be herself

[JeanTG]

Nature or nurture... nobody really knows. I have good reason to believe it was nurture in my case. Or maybe the nurture triggered the nature. Who knows? I am what I am, and I own who I am. I do what I need to do to stay sane.

[TrishaLake]

I think there are things passed on...I do think my dad has tendencies at least. That said, my son does not have these same things , I just know. so obviously not a concreate answer.

[Salina]

I have no knowledge of any male relatives or ancestors being CD/TG/TS. In my case my earliest memories are of being interested in and wanting to wear girls clothes and be pretty. I never wanted to be a girl, just to be a boy dressing as and being accepted as a girl. Whether I was born that way or not I'm not sure.

[whorton]

My own personal thoughts, (I have been a crossdresser for 43 years, since '74). .

Is that there may be a genetic "predisposition" that may allow a person to want to express more feminine aspects of their personality, but what happens is a function then of WHAT happens to them as they grow.

The idea that Feminine hormone surge during a suceptable time during pregnancy contributes, but still not proven.

So, for me, it comes down to, now why did we do it the first time, but the second and subsequent times.

I started crossdressing (the second and subsequent time) about adolescence and by wearing a girlfriends bra and panties. (she did not know)

There is subtle but important reinforcement often with masturbation and orgasm over time. Additionally, like many compounds put into the human body, over time, tolerance builds and more is required. In this case, It can be progressing to breast forms, womens shoes, finally culminating in dressing in public. From there, I can see how easily it would be to start to visualize ones self as the opposite sex. . .After reinforcenement for a while, It is easy to understand how crossdressing progresses to transgender. .

The key is how far one allows the reinforcement and positive visualization to continue. I have not considered past being a guy who likes to crossdress. . . Sure I have thought about a boob job, but in reality, I do not see that happeing as it does not comport with who I am. .

Of course that does not include those who "felt the urge to crossdress" as a young child, but statistics I have seen indicate that most of these individuals, revert back to contentment with their assigned sex and gender. .

Then too, I may be way off. . . none of us know for absolute sure!

[Sara Jessica]

I seriously doubt that anyone's genes care in the least bit what gender clothing one wears. As such, when it comes to pure CD'ing, it is fair to say that nurture overrides nature. But genetics or another developmental factor will likely be deemed the culprit for those who are TG/TS, or nature over nurture. Where the lines get blurry is when nature manifests itself in behavior (i.e. - CD'ing) or when nurture develops to a point where the TG abides.

Good luck to science to figure all of this out.

[dawn459]

NikiMichelle: In the Midevil
Age the dress code so to
Sppeak was that of long cloak's for the men and also for the women .The
Men who were robbers/theives had a robinhood long pants shirt
With a hat.The Army men
Of midevil days heavy clothing with metal for sheilds for protection.from
The swords spears&Arrows. SO YOU
Can see crossdressing started way back in time
Of 1200_1500.

[sometimes_miss]

Perhaps some nature, some nurture, and some, some combination of the two. Like sexual preference, there's someone for every point along the curve. The human animal is a very complex organism.
Dawn, if you simply grow up wearing what all the other men in your society are wearing, whether it's frocks or pants, that's not really crossdressing. Crossdressing is wearing the clothing usually reserved for the opposite sex, often with the intent on appearing to be as such. For while I don't adopt feminine mannerisms or voice (though I sort of started to back when I still thought I was really supposed to be a girl) I still crave all the visual/tactile/aural/olfactory feedback that points me to believing that I'm a girl.

[kimdl93]

There are lots of mechanisms for the emergence of behaviors besides genetic inheritance. Look up epigenetics to learn a bit about how various environmental factors can infuence gene expression. And then, add to this confusing mix the social dynamics of life in a mass media environment... Hard to tease out cause and effect

[Kendra Sue]

I never gave it much thought. I have no knowledge of any cross dresser in the family. I just know that I e NB joy my girl time and hope it never leaves.
.

[Genny B]

Watch National Geographics Special on Transgender. Yes, there is a gene related to transgender. They also noted there was not one related to sexual preferences though.

Genny B

[Diane Smith]

I do believe my maternal grandfather may have dressed from time to time and toward the end of his life, was contemplating hormones and perhaps even GRS. (He was diagnosed with cancer around that same time and passed away within about five years, which precluded his actually acting on this.) But the irony is that he was my grandmother's second husband and not a blood relative of mine, although we were much closer and spent more time together than any of my biological grandparents.

I am not aware that any of my genetic ancestors or extended family had any gender issues.

- Diane

[Sissy_in_pink]

I know for sure that my father was a crossdresser as I found his stash hidden in the garage, also by what an uncles second wife said at a family reunion my uncle, that is my dads brother was a crossdresser also, that means that I'm carrying on the family tradition.

[Jane G]

I don't think it is genetic. I believe it is mainly related to early child hood experience and upbringing. It's permanent once it kicks in, either way.

[gailprice]

I don't think it's the genes, however, my cousin is also a cd, only I know.

[Teresa]

Niki,

I accept my wiring was different at birth, who or what caused that I can't say . The problem is when you try and discover these facts you start to put blame on family members, maybe we are better not knowing .

[marshalynn]

I think you are born the way we are. No one would chose to live a life most of us, have had to live, never being your real self, afraid some one will find out about you. When your young, you don't under stand why you think like you do, most of the time you think I am just a sick weird person. Took a long time for me to under stand and except my self. finely, I live the way I want to 99 % of the time. No, I do not know of any others in my family. Marshalynn

[GretchenM]

There probably are some poorly defined genetic links that involve various kinds of behaviors which, when triggered, can lead to an adaptive behavior that includes CD and TG activities. Also, even if the genetics are "normal" mistakes can be made in the timing of various events during the development of the fetus. It was once thought that we all start out as female but at about 6 weeks testosterone kicks in an modifies that to produce a male. Now, it is known that testosterone acts at a very low level much earlier. Still, the female is considered to be the undifferentiated human and the male is the differentiated human. But hormonal actions are very targeted and even a little variation in what is "supposed to happen" can be greatly magnified later. But most of all of this has to do with sex and not gender identity - there are some fundamental links between the two, but for the most part they are different entities that act more or less independently.

After we are born, we are basically genderless in terms of identity until we are between 2 and 3 years old when we begin to identify in terms of gender with our genetically determined sex. But during that time, in addition to possible small errors during fetal development, social things can happen that gets imprinted and when our gender identity begins to form it can head off in a different direction that is inconsistent with normal expectations. Our gender identity appears to continue developing until we are around 16 at which point it becomes fairly set. By then any patterns set by pure genetic action have been overwhelmed by all the adaptive choices we have made and thus any hope of actually finding a clear genetic link to gender identity becomes quite dim. Those modifications, as Kim pointed out, are the subject of epigenetics which tends to be the great controller of what genetics actually produces. Genetics produces the protein production foundation; epigenetics tells the genes when to do what they do. Thus in behavior patterns, epigenetics becomes the master program and that is modifiable to suit certain situations which is called adaptation. It is such a complex non-deterministic process most anything can eventually develop but in a vast majority of people it amazingly comes out more or less according to expectation. Thus, with all that variability it statistically produces what we call the gender spectrum.

Obviously, culture plays a big role in all of this because gender identity and its forms varies all over the place in cultures other than the one here. One must look far beyond what happens in Western Civilizations to get a hint of what is universally true for humans. Yet, through it all, as some have stated, there probably are genes that do lay a highly generalized foundation for gender behaviors, but what is built on that foundation is dependent on the effects of culture, personal reactions to various events, and many other aspects. Gender behaviors are important to the survival of the species because no creature has a more complex family life than humans. It requires a well designed division labor to succeed and those behaviors are the meat and potatoes of gender identity. It is more important that the behaviors are done than which sex does them. Thus, cross-gender behaviors are actually common. As for the expression of those identities in terms of dress and mannerisms that seems to be primarily doing what is most compatible with how you personally view the world and your place in it.

[Lana Mae]

To my knowledge, none of my relatives or ancestors were TG/CD. I do find it interesting though, my parents had 3 girls who died at birth(mom's B/P had something to do with it) or shortly after and I am here! I was a last chance sort of deal. I will never be able to find out about (whatever the drug was called) that may have had an influence on me. (if mom took it!) So it is what it is! Hugs Lana Mae

[Lisa Roberts]

To me it doesn't matter why......I JUST WANT TO BE PRETTY!!!!!!
Lace and Smiles,
Lisa 👗

[Pat]

To date, I don't believe it's been established. The two most popular models are one where the TG trait is genetic and one where it is an environmental factor in the womb. Twin studies have found that there's a higher likelihood that identical twins will both be TG than of fraternal twins being TG which some imterpret as supporting a genetic involvement. But it's notable that not all twin pairs are both TG. Some people studying it also believe that it's a mix which includes an event during development and a gene variation that makes the forming child susceptible to developing as transgender because of it. In European cultures (including colonies like the US) transgenderism is suppressed, so it's hard to do genealogical studies but fortuneately there are a few cultures where transgenderism is not taboo and those populations can be studied. So far there is no convincing data for any of the hypotheses. It may also be that there is more than one reason someone develops as TG -- both a genetic and an environmental cause.

I love to follow the science and I hope at a future point we can unequivocally point to a biological basis for transgenderism as that would settle a number of arguments. But on the whole I consider all questions that boil down to "why am I TG?" to be useless. It doesn't matter if it's genetics or wandering spirits -- the only question that matters is what are you going to do with this gift you've been given?

[Bobbi46]

It is the genes, my nephew is gay I believe my late brother had gay tendencies and of course I dress. I know a retired Dr and have spoken often about the why's and wherefores and he categorically states that it is a genetic thing of differing degrees, that is why there are so many gender differences within our community.
An expression frequently used is "Wired differently" that is true in its own way in that this "wiring" happens during birth and how we turn out in life manifests itself in various ways.

[Tina955]

Can't imagine any of my family members being a CDer. But from what I read, there are two times during pregnancy that determine whether the child will be male or female. Basically we all start out female, then early on in the pregnancy there may be a shot of testosterone at the right time that makes the body start to develop as a male, if that shot of testosterone doesn't happen, then of course the fetus continues as a female. At this time, our brains are still unaffected, until later in the pregnancy when a male developing fetus is supposed to get another shot of testosterone to align the brain with the body. If that second shot doesn't happen, or is week, that can leave the brain more feminine. Likewise, for FtoM, the female fetus may get a shot of testosterone in that late stage when they shouldn't have, causing a female to feel more masculine.

Tina

[ginapoodle]

Excellent question and I have considered answers for decades. Not sure.

[Confucius]

Well my family includes a couple homosexuals, one transsexual, and an uncle that was known to occasionally crossdress. However I don't believe that proves anything about crossdressing being genetic. Science has not identified a crossdressing gene and I seriously doubt if any will ever be found. However science has found that a woman who has several sons, each younger son has a 30% increased probability of being gay. In addition, if one twin is gay there is a 50% possibility that the other twin is also gay (much higher probablility than random). Some scientists are looking for epigenetics as the answer. Epigenetics cause some genes to be repressed and when they are not expressed the result is a reversion to the default expression. The default expression is feminine.

The spectrum of crossdressing probably includes hundreds of varieties. No two crossdressers are exactly the same. So along with epigenetics we probably need to include the process of synaptogenesis during infancy. During the first three years of your life you develop about 3-5X the number of neural connections as an adult brain. Then through the learning process we undergo neural pruning where some nonsense neural connections are cut while other are reinforced. So during our early learning process our brains become hardwired for crossdressing. Once our brain are hardwired for crossdressing then whenever we crossdress our brain can release a host of feel good neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and others). It's these neurotransmitters which produce the sensations we love. One sensory pathway interacts with a secondary sensory pathway in an automatic and involuntary response.

Mind you, much of what I've expressed above are my theories and while they are consistent with existing science, they have not been confirmed by science.

[NikiMichelle]

Great mix of replies everyone! The consensus I see is that there does not seem to be a lot of evidence that CDing is inherited down thru generations (some examples of it but no solid proof). There seems to be some support that there is some biological cause for CD originating in the womb (nature) but that most of the development of CDing is brought on through life experiences (nurture).

The resounding message is that "we are what we are" and we should accept ourselves and enjoy the ride!!!

[Steph65]

Why do we have to put so many labels on one item? If you have a penis and like the thought of maybe being with another guy is not gay. To be with another guy to see if you like it does not necessarily mean your gay. it is like you try a tomato and hate it so you don't go back to it. Means you do not like tomatoes. There is no Bi if you tried a guy and don't like it. It is not gay either because you do not like that fruit. If you have a penis and you like guys and women you are Bi. If you have a penis and like guys only then you are gay. Period. This is not about transgender this is not about anything other than a guy who dresses. Every human has to wear clothes it does not make you what society "thinks" or what society "dictates" or what society "says" Stop twisting things and complicating this when it is very simple. What you got between your legs and what you like determines who you are. Penis- penis and women = bi. penis and women = straight. Penis and penis = gay. Clothes does not make the person it says you like to wear these clothes. Is it in the genes? depend what genes you wear womens or mens?

[Stephanie47]

I see a therapist for issues other than sexuality, sexual preference, etc. She is of the opinion, and I did not ask her for a citation, everyone man or woman is born with some degree of dna of the opposite sex. She says it is stronger in some than others. My wife has a cousin whose daughter is transitioning to a man. All the people in the family indicate the person has felt her maleness from day one. As a little girl.

I don't know if nurturing really is a cause other than to let the child feel comfortable trying to break the mold. I had no desires to wear women's clothing until puberty. I had an older brother and four male cousins. There were hardly any girls in the apartment building in which I was raised. My friends were male. As little boys we played cowboys and Indians, war (post WWII kids), all the sports. I regularly got into trouble in school and at home. I went to an all boys high school. I've never had any attractions to men. So, why is it I decided in puberty to wear women's clothing (my mother's) and be tormented for doing it? Any sane guy would not venture down that road. As a young adult I did the manly thing....went to war. I raised a family with my wife.

So, DNA? Nurturing? I've always said if it was a chromosome defect maybe there would be a Labor Day telethon looking for a cure. If it is just a case of the DNA strands aligning in a certain area, then so be it! Then I and everybody else is normal.

[Kelly DeWinter]

Great mix of replies everyone! The consensus I see is that there does not seem to be a lot of evidence that CDing is inherited down thru generations (some examples of it but no solid proof). There seems to be some support that there is some biological cause for CD originating in the womb (nature) but that most of the development of CDing is brought on through life experiences (nurture).

The resounding message is that "we are what we are" and we should accept ourselves and enjoy the ride!!!

Six examples of people here who have relatives may indicate genetic :)

[Becky Blue]

The only scientific research I have read that offers any possible reason that could make sense, is something to do with hormones in the womb.

[Sandin Meknickers]

Not sure. Going to be a therapy topic for me going forward. I'm interested to know for my own case. For me nurture starts in the womb though, where we are subject to hormonal influence which is directed by our mothers behaviours and experiences of being in the world. I only bring this up in therapy to try to understand the routes of my own motivations.

[Connie D50]

I know that I have at lease one other cousin that has transitioned so it my be in the genes.

[GretchenM]

The preponderance of the evidence that I have read in the technical peer reviewed journals is that gender reversal is primarily a blend of developmental effects in the womb modified by behavioral adaptation. The case for a genetic cause is weak simply because the purpose of genes is to act as templates for the assembly of proteins. Thus it is often hard to tie complex behavior to simply genetic influences. That said, some behaviors are clearly genetically based, but it is rarely a straight line from genes therefore a defined behavior. But where that has been found and enough can be ferreted out about the processes involved it leads, eventually, back to a genetic combination that produces the proteins and other compounds that induces the behavioral pattern. I am sure at some point we will figure it out. In such a situation and consistent with the scientific method we need to be open to all explanations. But as a biologist I am well aware that the biology is often far, far more complex than it appears with a superficial examination. For those of us who are this way, it is nice to ponder the causes. But we still have to live it and that is very different from deciphering causes. For that it is important to be true to yourself and know that your life is just as valid as anyone else and the life they lead. Enjoy the journey even if it is down a different road from where most travel. The main drag (no pun intended) is often a smoother ride, but if you have to take a side road because that is who you are, it might get bumpy sometimes. The plus is that side roads often present a lot more interesting things than the main highway and that adds to your collection of experiences.