What are the common themes in stories about pretty little girls who are really boys?

Common themes include adaptation. The girl has to adapt to the behavior, speech, and lifestyle of boys. There is also the theme of revelation, where at some point, her true identity is likely to be revealed. This can create a lot of drama and change the dynamics of her relationships. Additionally, the theme of empowerment can be seen as she overcomes the challenges of living as a boy and in the process, becomes more confident in herself, regardless of gender.

Another theme is empowerment. By taking on the guise of a boy, these 'girls' are often able to access opportunities that were otherwise denied to them. They break gender norms and show that they can be just as capable as men in various fields like warfare or education.

One such story could be about a child who was misidentified at birth as a girl due to certain physical characteristics. As the child grew up, they started to show more masculine traits and interests. Their family then discovered that chromosomally, the child was male. It's a story of self - discovery and acceptance in the face of a big misunderstanding.

There are various such stories where the characters start as seemingly pretty girls but are revealed to be boys later. One example could be a story about a child who cross-dresses to fit in or for a specific purpose.

There's a story where a girl, due to family reasons, has to take on the role of a boy in society. She works in a male - dominated field. At first, the other men are skeptical of her abilities, but as she proves herself with her intelligence and skills, they start to respect her. Meanwhile, she also has to deal with her own feelings of being an outsider while still being true to her female self.

In some versions of the story of Joan of Arc, she is sometimes depicted as a 'pretty girl who is really a boy' in a sense. She cut her hair short and wore male clothing to lead the French army. Her actions were revolutionary for a woman in that era and she became a symbol of courage and determination.

Well, you might come across a story where a pretty girl is forced to pretend to be a boy to protect herself or gain access to something only available to boys. Or it could be a tale of a magical transformation where a girl turns into a boy but retains her pretty features.

Well, you could find such plots in romantic comedies. Maybe a girl pretends to be a boy to get close to someone or to break gender stereotypes and then the truth is revealed in a heartwarming way.

Often, the themes include the struggle to fit in, finding support from unexpected places, and the process of self-acceptance and discovery. These stories can also touch on how society's expectations impact the boys' desires.

Overcoming obstacles is a big theme for both. For boys, it could be physical obstacles like climbing a mountain or building a treehouse. For girls, it might be more social obstacles like dealing with a clique at school. And the theme of love in some form is also there. For boys, it could be a first crush on a girl in class. For girls, it could be the love for a pet or a special friendship that has elements of love.