I have discovered this country has a problem with height discrimination.  The primary target is short men.  I'm one of them.  The  discrimination occurs in two key areas, employment and dating/relationships.  Prejudice is everywhere.  But full-fledged discrimination exists.  Height is an immutable charactaristic in adults.  Yet, height discrimination is not condemned.  In fact, it is encouraged, celebrated even. 

I anticipate little more than ad hominem attacks on me for even bringing this up, and I'll probably have to abandon the thread.  I thought the possiblity of a productive discussion on the issue made it worthwhile to try. 

There are no parallels with the awkwardness tall women claim to face.  Tall stature is considered a sign of superior genes.  If a woman is 6'1" all it means is a more imposing presence.  On the sexual side of things, she can easily find another basketball player.  Americans in particular never stopped believing in the arbitrary and scientifically disproven theory of eugenics.

No, the corollary to male shortoness among women is corpulence.  I have heard short men online savagely attack overweight women when I mention this.  They say "You can't do anything about your height, but those fatties can just stop stuffing their faces with doughnuts!"  I tried to explain it wasn't that simple.  I tried to explain genetics and thyroid problems, but the would have none of it.  That discussion board was full of short, angry, male right-wingers led by a 5' 1" prison guard.  So I quit posting there.

The discouraging part is the way the media pushes height discrimination as natural, inevitable, and correct by default.  They used to say the same of racial discrimination as recently as the 1950s.  It also makes me sick the way parents want to shoot their kids full of hormones when the get scared the kid might grow to be under...gasp...5' 8."  What we have here is bona-fide eugenics, and eugenics was the very core of Nazism.

The question often arises, "well wouln't YOU rather have your son be 6'2" than 5' 4"?  I suppose.  His life would be ten times easier as long as we continue to worship tall stature.  However, I would rather see a more enlightened culture in which it didn't matter so much.  I'd like to think we've made some progress since the Stone Age.

So is it out there?  Or are you going to tell me it's all in my head?

Wait.......short men are discriminated against?  So if two men are up for a job, and a guy who's 5'4 is up against someone who's 6'1.....regardless of qualifications, the guy who's 6'1 will get the job?  Is there some kind of proof.....numbers, studies, articles...that back that up?  Because that sounds ridiculous.  I've heard of getting passed over because of gender, race, religion....but height?  I'd need to see some proof before I give that any credence.

As for dating.....you're on your own.  Some women just like taller guys.....some like shorter guys.  I'm 5'3.....I don't like dating guys who are overwhelmingly taller than I am, but I don't want to date a guy shorter than I am either.  It's preference.  It's not saying "short people have no reason to live", but it's saying I prefer to date someone a few inches taller.  Some taller women who are self-conscious enough about their height won't date shorter men because it draws attention to it.  Some don't give a rip and do it anyway.  Who cares?  That's a non-issue to me.  If you can't find a date and you're claiming it's your height that's keeping you from getting one.....something else is preventing you from getting a date and it's not your height.  Have confidence in yourself no matter what height you are and women will see that and be attracted to it.  I personally can't stand men who dump on themselves and have a low opinion of themselves.  Like yourself for who you are and exude that, and it doesn't matter how tall you are or how much you weigh.....some woman somewhere will love you anyway.

Height has to be one of the lamest reasons I can think of for not hiring someone.  Really.  Lamer than eye/hair color and whether or not they have straight teeth.

No, it isn't all in your head. You didn't list your height.

I'm a short woman, 5' 1/2". I actually prefer a shorter man than most women. My husband is 5'8" at the most and I do not consider that short in my world.

I've had female friends in the 6' range make a habit of belittling shorter males for the "crime" of asking them to dance. I never understood that. And walk through the executive offices of most corporations and you will see taller men. I know there are studies out there.

If I were single and looking, I would prefer a man about my husband's height but I would not write off someone otherwise suitable due to height alone.

Well, in certain professions, such as emergency services, it is preferred to have someone who is physically larger since larger=stronger or more able or something.  In that sense, it makes sense to hire taller people.  Unfortunately, a Gary Coleman-sized cop just doesn't scare me...unless he really wants me to respect his authoritah :D

Shorter people have to work harder to secure jobs that require physical prowess or physical aesthetics (when's the last time you saw a midget Chippendale?  :D ) but I don't think that they can't be hired for something like data entry. 

As a rule, I try not to discriminate against someone based on appearance, but you gotta admit that it's hard not to notice a bearded lady or someone who's just really darned short...like my mother-in-law.

*ducks*

But you can't tell someone who to date.

No, it isn't all in your head. You didn't list your height.

I'm a short woman, 5' 1/2". I actually prefer a shorter man than most women. My husband is 5'8" at the most and I do not consider that short in my world.

I've had female friends in the 6' range make a habit of belittling shorter males for the "crime" of asking them to dance. I never understood that. And walk through the executive offices of most corporations and you will see taller men. I know there are studies out there.

If I were single and looking, I would prefer a man about my husband's height but I would not write off someone otherwise suitable due to height alone.



I wouldn't write someone off based on height either, being a shorty myself.  That would just look hypocritical. 


And I am sure there's plenty of shorter guys in the business world.  My parents work with a ton of them. 

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But you can't tell someone who to date.


You're right, but the problem is that its acceptable for women to say they won't date a man under a certain height, but there are MANY women who would call a man who refuses to date a woman with anything smaller than D cup breasts a pig, and then turn around and without batting an eye say they prefer guys over 6 foot. Its the hypocrisy that gets to me. I don't want to tell anyone how to date.

Girl, you have no experience to speak from. As a fellow short man(5'7 and a half) I can say Maxwell is dead on.  Time and time again I haven't been taken seriously because of my height. And on a regular basis people make cracks about short guys, and yet its all supposed to be okay. WE CAN'T HELP OUR HEIGHT. Making fun of someone for that is EVERY BIT AS WRONG as making fun of someone because of their race or ethnicity.

And I won't be bothered to post any statistics, because this isn't my baby. This is Maxwell's thread, and I'm sure if he wants to continue this line of discussion he'll be more than happy to do so.

But anyway, I have heard/read on many occasions that statistics show that taller men marry earlier and make more in the workplace. They are also more likely to be the CEO of a company or hold important public office. Look at how many of our Presidents have been over 6 foot, and how few have been short.




I agree that making fun of someone based on their height is lame.  It's the same as making fun of someone based on their weight.  I never said that it was okay, so I wonder why you said that to begin with.  Furthermore, I don't consider 5'7 short.  I hadn't heard of height being a legitimate reason to pass someone over for a job, which was the point of Maxwell's thread....since he stated that at the beginning.  Hence why I asked for some kind of article or study to look at. 

I don't get the Presidents reference at all.  Are you trying to tell me that if a shorter man ran against a taller man......regardless of what either of them have to say or what they stand for....the taller guy will win....based on the fact that most of our Presidents have been tall?  I have also never heard of taller men marrying earlier.  Can I see something that backs that up?  Men of whatever height marry women of whatever height earlier than others for a myriad of different reasons......money, time, she's knocked up, you just feel like it, etc.

I think some of this is legitimate and some of this is stretching.....and I'm a shorty myself. 

Before anybody goes any further take note.  This is not a pity party for Maxwell.  I notice height discrimination more because I am short.  I notice discrimination--yes, actual discrimination--against overweight women just as much due to my awareness about stature/girth issues.  In the business world (ie. snakepit) taller women also have an advantage over shorter women.  The difference is slight compared to the same advantage given to tall men.  Part of this is due to the rampant sexism in the business world (ie. snakepit).  Overweight women have an even harder time than short men, but I started this thread for height discrimination, so let's stick to that.

You're right, but the problem is that its acceptable for women to say they won't date a man under a certain height, but there are MANY women who would call a man who refuses to date a woman with anything smaller than D cup breasts a pig, and then turn around and without batting an eye say they prefer guys over 6 foot. Its the hypocrisy that gets to me. I don't want to tell anyone how to date.



No it is not acceptable.  I personally feel more comfortable with someone who is around my height....I'm 5'3.  If I meet the man of my dreams and he's 5'0.....I won't tell him to go screw and I'm willing to bet that most women feel that way as well.  The same goes for if the guy is 6'4.  My ex-boyfriend was over 6 feet tall and I didn't give a damn about it when we were dating.  Some women like taller guys, some women don't.  If a woman turns you down because you're too short for her tastes, she's not worth your time to begin with because she's looking for superficial reasons not be involved with you.  THOSE people have problems, not all of us.

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I actually prefer shorter men. Just not too short. I've dated taller and shorter, and I prefer the 5'6" - 5'8" range. But they do have to be damned good looking. Dating is all about preference, might as well hold out for what you want. And there is nothing wrong with a guy wanting a woman with D cups or not wanting to date a fat girl because that is personal preference and they have a right to try for that.



Hey, if the guy likes women with big boobs....and mine aren't big enough for him.....oh well.  I move on and don't lose any sleep over it.  Same goes for weight.  If I'm not skinny enough for you, I'm not going to cry myself to sleep over it.  If that's all you see when you look at me....and decide I'm not good enough for you based on that, then I guess YOU are the one with the issues, not me.

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Well, in certain professions, such as emergency services, it is preferred to have someone who is physically larger since larger=stronger or more able or something.  In that sense, it makes sense to hire taller people.  Unfortunately, a Gary Coleman-sized cop just doesn't scare me...unless he really wants me to respect his authoritah :D
If height and girth play a vital role in the position, then I have no problem.  If a short man proves he can do the job equally well, then there is a problem.  Taller cops getting more respect is a gray area.  I don't know.  I don't respect most cops and height has nothing to do with it.



But you can't tell someone who to date.

No sh*t Sherlock!  I don't suggestive affirmative action for personal romances!
:D

Not to go too far off base, but why does a guy who prefers thin women have issues? I'm not thin, but I don't see a problem if a guy prefers thin women.

Sometimes it isn't an issue of good enough, but rather just not according to one's tastes.



Women are body-conscious enough.  They don't need men telling them "you're too fat for me".

Not to go too far off base, but why does a guy who prefers thin women have issues? I'm not thin, but I don't see a problem if a guy prefers thin women.

Sometimes it isn't an issue of good enough, but rather just not according to one's tastes.



of course everyone has their own preference....some people like some meat, some don't...some people like giants...others like shorter individuals....it's AOK to have your own preference...but I just don't like when someone holds it against someone...JUST because it might not be exactly what they prefer. I believe in giving everyone a chance....just because someone may have a few extra pounds...or a few less inches of height...doesn't make them "less of a person" or "less of a potential date".

...Gawd, you're missing my point entirely. Of course people have the right to their preferences, but there are a lot of hypocritical women out there who have no problem discriminating based on height, but they turn around and think of a man as a pig if he has preferences based on things like cup sizes. Not all women or this way, but there are a lot of double standard-bearing "feminists" out there...


No, I didn't miss your point entirely, I just didn't really address it because I agree with you.

No, I didn't miss your point entirely, I just didn't really address it because I agree with you.


I gotcha.

of course everyone has their own preference....some people like some meat, some don't...some people like giants...others like shorter individuals....it's AOK to have your own preference...but I just don't like when someone holds it against someone...JUST because it might not be exactly what they prefer. I believe in giving everyone a chance....just because someone may have a few extra pounds...or a few less inches of height...doesn't make them "less of a person" or "less of a potential date".


If weight or height is an important trait to someone then someone who doesn't have those traits sure as hell is "less of a potential date". To deny that is naive.

Less of a person? No - and if they deliver the message like that, then shame on them.

1. 5'7" is short, no ifs ands or buts. The average height of an American male is 5'9" and a half(or therebouts).
2. Do you think your experiences count for everything?
3. I've already said I don't feel like digging up these statistics, I've seen them before and I feel no need to find them again. If you wish to say I'm full of it fine.
4. And the fact that you're a "shorty" doesn't apply in the least. You're a woman. You know in our society that views on height are different based on gender.


1. If the average male height is 5'9.....and you're 5'7....that's not short to me.  If you're 5'0.....that's shorter. 
2. No, but my experiences shape my views and opinions.  I can't give my opinion on something if I have nothing to base it on.
3. I don't think you're full of it, but having never even heard of this before, I was just curious to see where you had heard of it yourself.  And you say I get defensive.
4. Yes I am aware of that.  I'm a short woman.  Big deal.  I don't view my height as a reason to dump on myself or make myself feel like I can't get ahead in life.  I have a college degree, I'm a nice person, I'm friendly, I work well with others.....if those reasons can't get me hired for a job or get me a date with a decent guy, then what else can I do?