My youngest daughter is biracial (black/white) and has ethnic hair that in its natural state has extremely tight curls. I can't keep myself from gently playing with and pulling her boingy springy curls. I remember having that compulsion when I was in high school when I sat behind a girl (also black) who had the same hair. I smile remembering that. I never did touch her hair because I think that would not have been appreciated, but now that I have a daughter with that kind of hair, I sure do enjoy it! All that to say, I don't think it is necessarily a transference issue (maybe, but not necessarily), but I do think that it can be normal to want to touch and pull that springy hair for fun. My daughter is a toddler and even she goes around playing with the curls. LOL