Inequality based on height is something I’ve dealt with my whole life. It’s something that has been embedded in me every since I can remember playing sports. If you’re not tall, you’re not good. That’s the message that has always been sent. It doesn’t matter if you can play better than someone who is taller than 6’, if you’re shorter you’re no good. Now, it has even progressed to an everyday encounter. Many women now have an obsession with height.
So how did this all start? Where did this 6’ expectation come from when the average height for a male in the United States is 5’ 10”? Doctor Susan Whitborne suggests that it may be due to primitive mating habits. A taller male would be preferred by a mate, because taller was often conflated with being stronger and faster (Psychology Today). These traits would provide a mate with a sense of safety, which was preferred. When you look at this from a sports perspective this makes quite a lot of sense. If taller equals faster and stronger, then of course coaches would recruit taller players. Contrarily, this would mean that short people are weaker and slower. However, is this true? …show more content…
Based on the data there is little to correlation between speed and height. What about height and strength? The average height for an Olympic weight lifter for all classes is about 5’7”, which favors shorter people. So where does this misconception of taller equals stronger and faster come from? There is no definite answer, but one reason may be entertainment. Take a look at any super hero, what do you see? A tall, fast, strong man. Take a look at most movies, how are protagonist usually portrayed? A tall, athletic man. Models for clothing companies are often over 6’ and muscular. The list could go on forever. Everything we see as being an “ideal” man is a male who is at least 6’
So how did this all start? Where did this 6’ expectation come from when the average height for a male in the United States is 5’ 10”? Doctor Susan Whitborne suggests that it may be due to primitive mating habits. A taller male would be preferred by a mate, because taller was often conflated with being stronger and faster (Psychology Today). These traits would provide a mate with a sense of safety, which was preferred. When you look at this from a sports perspective this makes quite a lot of sense. If taller equals faster and stronger, then of course coaches would recruit taller players. Contrarily, this would mean that short people are weaker and slower. However, is this true? …show more content…
Based on the data there is little to correlation between speed and height. What about height and strength? The average height for an Olympic weight lifter for all classes is about 5’7”, which favors shorter people. So where does this misconception of taller equals stronger and faster come from? There is no definite answer, but one reason may be entertainment. Take a look at any super hero, what do you see? A tall, fast, strong man. Take a look at most movies, how are protagonist usually portrayed? A tall, athletic man. Models for clothing companies are often over 6’ and muscular. The list could go on forever. Everything we see as being an “ideal” man is a male who is at least 6’