As a teenager I did have pondering as to what it would be like to be a boy. I was a regular tomboy growing up from the age of about 5, happier fishing, spending time with my dad, football matches and generally being an outdoor sort of person. As a teen I lived in trousers and sweatshirts, polo shirts. I bought men's trousers and tops because they were more practical. I was bullied horribly through secondary school because I wanted to do my school work, because I needed things to be just so. Because I was emotional.
I don't think I consciously felt I was really meant to be a boy even if I wondered what it would be like.
It wasn't until I was in my 20's that I started dating and met now dh when I was 25.
I think I have been lucky with my role models that have shown me I can be me without needing to fit a gender stereotype. And I credit a good chunk of this to my old guiding leaders as well as my mother. She wasn't adverse to doing a bit of diy behind my dad's back, even if she did fall into a female stereotype with regards to domestic duties. But I think a lot of her actions were generational rather than down to gender roles.
My guide brownie and guide leaders were strong, independent women who wanted us to realise that woman can do anything they choose to. They genuinely believed, still believe as i am in touch with them, that sex doesn't stop a woman wielding a saw, a hammer or firing a bow, working outside in forests and haulage jobs or, to be fair, that men are incapable of domestic work, sewing or creative work. We camped, set our own tents, built campfires - everything that scouting has always been associated with is what guiding used to be more like. Unfortunately modern views have rapidly diluted girl guiding and pushed them into the forefront of gender debate.
Gender is, to me, a way of explaining that one aligns more with a masculine or feminine stereotype. I am aware that there are a number of other genders involved as well, but I think gender is being allowed to muddy a very sensible debate on what constitutes a male person and what makes a female person.
@LegoMaus - shame on your leaders then. Ours were very much of the 'if you want to do it, you can' persuasion and we spent many, many happy hours orienteering, pitching tents and setting our own camp fires before cooking on them. Yes, I did my brownie hostess badge but I did a heck of a lot more that couldn't just be pigeonholed into for girls' or 'for boys'.