Hmmm. From "Transgender Emergence," Arlene Lev (2004) p. 13:

"Researchers and clinicians are beginnning to recognize areas of transgender expresion that had previously been underrecognized. Some examples include: the number of female to male transsexuals appear to be much higher than historically evident, including those who identify as gay males; . . . According to Cromwell (1999) female transgenderism is a complex phenomenon related to the historic invisibility of women's issues in general. [see pp. 72-74 for more in depth discussion]"

Lev goes on to set forth some of the same ideas already posted by some about f-t-m' shaving an easier time of cross dressing etc. than m-t-f's. But, I was married to a f-t-m and I'm not sure I buy that. It wasn't significantly easier for my ex- to deal with the internal feelings of wanting to be the opposite gender; but, she dealt with it better than I did and doesn't have to hang out on a board for support like I do. Is that a genetic sexually determined factor? Genetic females cope better? Well, I know better than to project my limited personal experiences on everyone.

Lev, at p. 38:

"According to the DSM IV-TR, approximately 1 per 30,000 adult physiological males and 1 per 100,000 adult physiological females seek SRS (Amer. Psych. Assoc., 2000, p. 579). . . . Statistics in the Netherlands, home of one of the most progressive gender clinics, are estimated to be approximately 1 per 12,000 males and 1 per 30,000 females (Bakker et al., 1993; Van Keternen, Gooren and Megens, 1996). . . . The accuracy or utility of these figures is open to debate, and it has been suggested that they represent figures a few decades old . . . " (And Lev has a VERY good discussion of numerous F-T-M roles in various socities world wide and through history, at pp. 57-67. Worth reading.)

But all that still begs the question of why more f-t-m's don't post. Too many rude insensitive m-t-f's? Reading the above posts I see some posts were pretty hard on anyone wanting to be a guy - hardly an accomodating attitude. They might well say the same thing about me wanting to be a woman. And even though I was married for 14 years to a wife who eventually came out as a f-t-m, I still can say insensitive things. So do the f-t-m's just find other boards without such a high m-t-f presence?

I for one am really really pleased these guys are here. Their two cents is often the most interesting point of view, and they are a breath of fresh air from some of the 100% m-t-f boards I have been on. If they weren't here, these boards would lack depth and richness.

Well that was a text booky boring post by me. But, Hugs anyway for those brave enough to grind through,

'lissa