I have the same conundrum. I've played some acoustic in the past (lessons as a kid) but am pretty much starting from scratch. I've chosen to go with Electric for a few specific reasons:
1. The steel strings on an acoustic will eat your virgin fingers alive. This REALLY discourages extended practice/play sessions. Having smaller hands makes maneuvers even more difficult. I'd be done after a half hour, despite wanting to keep on practicing.
2. An electric is way quieter when strumming and can be played with headphones if you want to hear the noise. This will be appreciated by neighbors (particularly in apartments) and allow you to play whenever the mood strikes. You can even play while your buddies are over watching the game without being a crummy host
3. Rocking out impresses chick more than acoustic stuff.
The reality is that the skills transfer over directly to acoustic......so why take the more difficult path to get to the same place? Build your skill, calluses and finger strength on the electric. The only real drawback is the cost of a cheap, tiny amp. Whoopee.
__________________
|