So I understand that for young plants, you should focus more on growing the tree rather than the fruit. This makes sense, growing trees is playing a long game, and you should let it spend its energy getting strong early on. I've read so many threads from people saying they're seeing fruit grow on these year or two old trees and asking what should they do, and the only logical answer is knock them all off so the plant can concentrate on being healthy when its so young.

But then figs started forming on my second year White Genoa... then my second year Black Jack/Petite Negra from Wellsprings Gardens...then a Conadria and Roma that I started from cuttings late last year...then my Black Madeira and Mike's Main Street Purple I got from Keith earlier this year...

Even though I rationally know that it's best for the tree, and the figs probably won't taste that great since the trees are so immature, I almost cried as I was knocking off those little figlets. I did leave a couple on each tree, so time will tell if I actually get to taste them this year. I can't help it, I just want to eat ALL THE FIGS!

Nothing wrong with that. I leave em on as long as the tree seems to be vigorous. Even on first year trees. If there's too many on a new tree, I use common sense.

Yeap, I am leaving them on too. If the plant grows well, I see nothing wrong with that. 
Testing the figs early gives me a chance to single out the mislabeled and very similar trees.

I'm new to this but my strategy so far is to focus more on the vegetative growth and not worry too much about fruiting. With that being said, I have an unknown variety that's two years old and has probably 30 figs on it. The tree is growing like a weed and the fruit keep increasing in size so I leave them. I'll probably end up knocking off the ones I know won't ripen and hopefully I get a nice little harvest at the end of the summer.

Tamar,

Part of the issue is we try sometimes to paint with too broad a brush.  The growing conditions in Canada or the Northeast are so different from say where I am in Florida.   Our growing season is so long it is like two New York summers per year and as a result the plants grow faster and can handle setting some fruit the first season.  Figs by their nature are just fast growing plants....well mostly anyway:)   So In Atlanta I would let mine fruit the first year...In Canada I would remove the fruit.  

Hi Tamarness,
You are the boss of your trees. Just do as you wish. Do your own experiences ! And be prepared for all the possible results ...
Remember that not everybody is targeting extra-growth to make cuttings.
Remember that not everybody has priceless varieties ... and is looking to sell and exchange those to extend the collection.
Remember that
In which USDA Zone are you ? In my zone7, winter can take care of new growth, so that targeting fruit production first, is perhaps the best bet for me.
Now, if a tree is struggling, then to help the tree, removing the figlets is probably a good option.
I'm propagating my trees but only for making experiences, removing the root-suckers, having backups and possible future trades.
So what is you plan ?

I let the tree decide what to do.  If it's bearing fruit in its 2nd year, let it be.