Size Matters: Is Taller Better?
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By Shawn McKee
Staff Writer
Heightism: Is it the last acceptable prejudice? Is it even really a word? According to the CDC, I'm about average height -- 5'10". Ok, I'm more like 5'9" and a half, but are we going to split hairs here?
Being tall certainly has its advantages. What do women want? Tall, dark and handsome. Not average, pale and decent looking. But it's not just women discriminating.
Must be this tall to ride. Men's Big and Tall (not short and small). Bigger is better. Help wanted: Short need not apply. (Ok, I made that last one up, but the signs of heightism are everywhere.)
A survey by University of Florida found that the salary gap between the tall and the vertically challenged is large: almost $800 per inch. And 18 of the last 22 presidential elections were won by the taller man. One report suggests that 90 percent of CEOs are above average height and that when two job candidates have similar skills and backgrounds, the taller one will win more than 70 percent of the time.
Being tall is associated with strength, power, masculinity and sexual prowess. And the opposite associated with being of a smaller stature.
It's such a sore spot that some men are willing to go through extreme pain and shell out big bucks for an operation that can give them a few extra inches.
"Height is such a big deal in the US," says Beverly Hills-based therapist Rebecca Roy, M.A. "Men are judged on it, relationships are based on it and careers are changed by it. No wonder these guys are going through such painful operations."
The procedure involves breaking the patients' legs and having telescopic pins inserted that the men can lengthen themselves over time. This excruciating surgery costs between $100,000 and $200,000, takes months to recover from, can cause infection and deformities, and the patient might even return to their original height.
So I think I'm going to stick with my average height and accept that I will never be picked first on the basketball court. But wouldn't it be nice if men weren't judged on height and women weren't judged on face and body shape? I guess that's just the society we live in…
How important is height to you in a partner? Do you discriminate against those with a lower center of gravity? Let us know your thoughts.
Labels: career, relationships, study
Comment: Thursday, June 05, 2008 2:46:00 AM - 
said...
I've never gone out with a shorter man...I'm 5'6" and my partner's more than 6' tall. I'm just attracted to tall men. And I'm not the only one!
I think it definitely matters if you are tall, especially for a guy.
Comment: Thursday, June 05, 2008 3:38:00 AM - said...
hey all you shorties, take comfort in knowing that you are less likely to get a heart attack than the 6 plus footers.
Comment: Thursday, June 05, 2008 8:05:00 AM - said...
I truly have the best husband in the world, even though he isnt the 5'11" that he told me he was when we met. He doesnt make the 5'9" marker in reality. I couldn't have cared less anyway and wouldnt have even known had people not told me he wasn't 5'11" as I am only stretching to be 4'11". But he is a hard worker, kind and a leader wherever he goes, loved by everyone, this is what is important! A good short guy is worth 12 tall jerks!
Comment: Thursday, June 05, 2008 9:00:00 AM - 
carol said...
I've dated short & pudgy, tall & thin, big & burly, medium height & build, all types. Personality has always won out. Of my two husbands, the most obnoxious was short with a huge chip on his shoulder and loved to hang out with big tall guys. It made him feel bigger himself. The more loving and sweet husband was tall and had a great deal of self confidence without being arrogant.
Comment: Thursday, June 05, 2008 9:38:00 AM - said...
I personally believe that height does matter. Me being 5’11” I like my men tall, dark, and handsome. A man being able to put his arm around me and me putting my head on his chest makes me feel comfortable. I do believe that tall men are less arrogant. They don’t have to try as hard to get a woman’s attention and when they do, they have to try harder to keep it. When I go out, shorter men are always the first to approach me. I always ask if they are intimidated by a taller woman and they say no. Even though I am not attracted, physically to shorter men, I need to take a lesson from my mother. My mother is 5’7” and my step-father is 4’11”. It doesn’t matter to her about height and my step-dad is a great father and husband and I hope to find a man like him. My stepfather said I’m being to judgmental and I should give shorter men a try. So before I totally rule out short guys, why not, I’m willing to put my judgments aside to find true love, just for my dad’s sack.
Comment: Thursday, June 05, 2008 10:04:00 AM - justme said...
I'm a 4'10" woman so who am I to judge people by their height? I am lucky because guys tend to like short petit women. I'm seperated from my husband who stands 6'1" and I've found a man who stands 5'8" on a good day and we fit together like puzzle pieces. The theory that bigger is better holds no water with me but I know alot of my friends prefer taller guys. I think it's just the society we live in and the ideas they put in our heads just like woman are judged by how thin, young and beautiful they are.It's sad but true!
Comment: Thursday, June 05, 2008 11:13:00 AM - said...
That is all well and good about men being judged on height but what about women? I am 6" tall and it is no walk in the park here either. Women are expected to be shorter thatn men.. no exceptions.
It is not only difficult to buy clothing but it also intimidates everyone including potential employers, love intrests and catty women. Not to mention that tall men as u have read in the other posts almost always tend to date women considerably shorter.
Comment: Thursday, June 05, 2008 11:44:00 AM - said...
I've never really seen height - it's like when you have a friend with braces on their teeth that you just noticed, and they've had them on for over a year! Just before my husband and I married I saw him in a different setting once, and realized he was short (comparatively speaking - he's 5'10). Although I'm 5'7" and wearing heels makes me taller than him - it doesn't matter! What I notice - toned body and muscles - ooh la la! It seems in business that, as they say, a man that takes up more space with his body - as in spreading his arms out more, or sitting taller, seems to show self-confidence, which is a success maker on many levels.
Comment: Thursday, June 05, 2008 12:17:00 PM - IMDAMAN said...
I'm a tall lean attractive man with an athletic surfer build, (6'7" 200 lbs). Women tell me that I am very handsome and good-hearted (not a jerk!). I find tall women (over 5'9") very attractive, however most of my lovers have been on the short side ... 5'3" to 5'6". I prefer a taller woman, but I seem to end up with the short ones ... go figure!
Love & Peace, Rick
Comment: Thursday, June 05, 2008 12:20:00 PM - bbooner said...
Taller people can afford to be overbearing but the most important measure of a person is still his or her character.
Every person has value - short, tall, fat, ugly - because we are all God's creatures. Our society and the world have to be reminded of that once and a while.
Comment: Thursday, June 05, 2008 12:34:00 PM - Kel said...
So, the men in my family are about the same height as the women in my family... so though I don't feel your pain, I know my brother does. I think he gets overlooked a lot, and he's the sweetest guy ever. I dated men of all heights, and I admit I married a tall one. Of course, the one shorter than me (that I dated previously for about 6 months) ditched me... not the other way around. Sometimes relationships just don't work, despite anything to do with height.
Good article though. I have long espoused that the people who have the hardest time in our society are short men and overweight women. It's a rough world.
Comment: Thursday, June 05, 2008 12:52:00 PM - said...
I am 5'10 an yes I enjoy being in the company of a tall man. To start he an I see eye to eye,even in heels. to place my head on his sholder is great. He too has big feet an undertands the problem I have looking for clothing. All tall woman are not size 22. So it is a problem being tall. That is why we have the Tall Club woman 5'10 an men 6'2'. This way we know we are not alone.
Comment: Thursday, June 05, 2008 12:56:00 PM - said...
How tall or short the person is not. It only the outside. The most omportant is how nice the personalities is to me.
I talk and work with many people every day and communication is the key to the person nor size.
Comment: Thursday, June 05, 2008 2:01:00 PM - Rebecca G said...
As someone with a tall husband (6'5"), I just have to comment on the idea of "big & tall" clothing... unfortunately, if you are tall, you apparently have to be "big" as well. According to most BMI calculators, my hubby is overweight (240 lbs), but we can't shop at a big & tall store b/c waist sizes rarely start below 40". Go figure! And don't even get me started on size 14 shoes... =) So, it can also be difficult to find things the "right" size when you're over average height.
Before we were married, I dated men of all heights, from just an inch or two taller than me (I'm 5'8"), but height really had nothing to do with my attraction to my husband. It was definitely his personality that won me over!
Comment: Thursday, June 05, 2008 7:46:00 PM - said...
I feel when a man is 5"10 he always never shares his money with a lady. When he is married, only brings in the money.
Comment: Friday, June 06, 2008 12:34:00 AM - said...
Well I prefer taller men only because i'm 5'9 myself. I would be naturally drawn to someone taller than me.
Comment: Friday, June 06, 2008 1:39:00 AM - said...
What the heck! I'm a 6foot woman and seeing all these comments from "little" women who are dating or married to over 6foot men are KILLING me!!!! I stare more in amazement at tall men because I always think of the tall children I could have. Personally I think it's naures attempt and "survival of the fittest." Anyway, I'm rambling, but short ladies can you leave us tall girls a few tall guys, PLEASE, hahaha
Comment: Friday, June 06, 2008 7:29:00 AM - said...
I have gone out with short and tall dark handsome guys, it's realy the person on the inside that matters now to me. Well on one of my dates my date mixed a cocktail with this drink called purple and it tasted great! now I am addicted to it, can check out more information on www.drinkpurple.com and I think one should go out with someone who knows how to make a perfect yummy drink I mean that is something I did like very much.
Comment: Saturday, June 07, 2008 1:48:00 AM - said...
I have always been attracted to taller men. However I actually married a man about 3 inches short than myself. I am 5'7" and have found it can be a handicap for a woman. But size isn't everything.
Comment: Saturday, June 07, 2008 6:31:00 AM - said...
Ha, I really do not find this article to be true with th right evidence...
my stepdad is only 5' 5'' and is making almost240 thousand a year
on the other hand, my real dad actually does work, besides sitting in an office, and only makes around 1/3 of that. he is 5' 8"
Comment: Saturday, June 07, 2008 11:02:00 PM - said...
Of course taller men are preferable to women, they want to feel protected. Personally, I like taller men... its more comfortable.. not so awkward. But everything always boils down to personality no matter tall or short.
Peace and Love
Comment: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 2:45:00 PM - said...
Definetely taller guys for me...I went out with two short guys and I was embarressed both times...on the other hand I love to show off my current boyfriend...he's only 5'11 but he's big bones and it makes it up the rest of him...uhhmmm just better. You just get the feeling that they can lift you, move, and do anything with no diffilties.
Comment: Friday, June 20, 2008 11:29:00 AM - said...
My man is adequate in stature (about 5'9") and extraordinary at heart. I can't be too biased as I am barely a 5 footer myself. I have dated taller guys, but it is not the physique that matters. My man is huge and beautiful in my eyes despite society's definition of beauty.
Comment: Monday, June 30, 2008 12:52:00 PM - said...
I'm 5'6 and one of the short girls in my family. I was a tall girl in school though. I prefer that a guy be taller than I am. I try not to let that mindset get in the way when I meet someone really interesting. It's a preference but it's not set in stone.
Comment: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 8:03:00 AM - said...
u know size does matter a alot
i am a 1.73m asian guy considered short by western sandards.
And its kind of diffcult,even in my home country.
I know tat i am begining to sound like a wimp but let me share abt the difficulties tat i face
U see, asians LOVE prestige more than anyother people in the world,espically the japanese.
So being tall is PRESTIGE in Japanese eyes,
My lecture sort of humiliated me,
she requested the projector to be switch on, well the only problem is that it is attached to the celling........................
i tried a chair, but could not reach it..and in the end all of the girs were laughing away,saying how cute i am!!!!!, funny ???
then this tall 1.85m guy came to my rescue.
i am really tiried abt this
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