Feeling down about my height

Parent Cafe
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<p>The OP should particularly read #3 below.</p>

<p>I am highly skeptical of IQ research. It has a number of statistical validity issues. I’ve read a number of weird and sometimes idiotic discussions of the issue. That said, I would agree in the most general terms that within a given population and considering the average - remember, statistics generally deals with averages - then height is considered a marker for better health, which means better nutrition and thus is some form of success indicator. As an example of an idea that makes less sense: the idea that “attractiveness” translates into height assumes the answer, that people who are taller are smarter.</p>

<p>As a guy of 67-68 inches tall, I can say the following:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Many people are interested in a dimorphic relationship, which means the male human is bigger than the female human. This dynamic seems to be breaking down, in part because women have grown taller - look at average heights - and thus there is less inherent dimorphism. </p></li>
<li><p>Much of human thinking about sexuality comes from adolescence when girls tend to grow first. That happens because they are, to be somewhat crude, sexually capable and attractive to the older, more accomplished males. Some argue young men grow later so they are less of a threat to elder males during that vulnerable time. </p></li>
<li><p>Height matters most when all things are equal. As in, see those person over there: the taller one is more attractive. Men do the same and acknowledge it: we are relativists who look at 3 women and immediately rank them in attractiveness. A wonderful example is in the movie A Beautiful Mind when the John Nash character (Russell Crowe) realizes none of the guys score because they all either go for the top relatively ranked girl or are too intimidated by her to do anything. He adjusts their aim and voil</p></li>
</ol>

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<p>Lergnom, amazing post.</p>

<p>Except that sorry, I cannot summon up much sympathy for women who are generally considered “pretty.” Ask women who are not about THEIR experience. They are routinely considered less than HUMAN.</p>

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<p>As I often told my shorter than average son when he complained about his height, so long as both your feet reach the ground, you’ll do fine.</p>

<p>I’ll add that the sexiest man I ever met, the co-worker who had women flinging themselves at him left and right, was about 5’6". He had a way of talking to a woman that made her feel she was the most fascinating person on earth.</p>

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<p>I’ll add on. My 3 sons, all in their 20’s, are between 5’5" and 5’6 1/2". The one who is 5’6" is getting married next year to a brilliant woman who is only a half inch shorter than he is.
The one who is 5’6 1/2" tall (at max) seems taller than that because of the way he stands. He is, and always has been, a chick magnet. :slight_smile: He has an ability to listen to women so that they want to talk to him. The third son, who is “only” 5’5" is an actor with a dynamic personality. He does not let his stature bother him in the least.</p>

<p>ETA: Forgot to mention my DH who is 5’6" although his license says 5’7".
:rolleyes: He is a VERY successful professional.</p>