They try very hard to conform, to fit the expectations given them, so as not to be caused hurt. It does not take many years of this, before understanding of what is natural behavior and what is affected behavior, is lost or compromised. When the transsexual reaches a time where something must and can be done about their gender issues, there is often a great deal of separation from both life, and true self going on. The best the lost soul can do is to grasp at the nearest ideal or form of the original suppressed self. The transsexual identifies with and seeks to emulate the desired gender role, just as they emulated an uncomfortable one.
Gender roles are very elaborate and structured.
They contain virtually complete scripts, complex expectations, that cover every aspect of life, from little matters such as walking or sitting, to large matters, such as choice of career or options for lifestyle. Lost to their core selves after years of self suppression , the closest artificial role to that sought after self becomes overwhelmingly desirable. But the transsexual will usually learn, after several years, that this too, is not entirely right. Much better than before, but still confining . This is a state not limited to transsexuals.