A friend and I were discussing this very issue today while having lunch in an outdoor cafe. We decided to count couples and see how many had a taller man and shorter woman, and how many had a shorter man and taller woman.
There were over 20 couples and all of them was of a taller man with a shorter woman.
This is all fine and good but not very scientific. What does science say about this important issue?
A study by Gillis and Avis in 1980 found that for every 100 couples, only 2 are likely to have a taller woman and shorter man. This suggests that in general, men tend to choose women who are shorter than they are and/or women choose men who are taller than they are.
Source: Short Girl Pictures
Do Men Really Like Shorter Women?
The Gillis and Avis study shows that couples very frequently consist of a taller man together with a shorter woman.
However, this does not necessarily mean that men like shorter girls. In fact, one can argue that the height preference largely comes from the woman’s side. Perhaps the man has no height preference, but simply dates shorter women because shorter women find them more attractive.
To get a more comprehensive view of this tall vs. short women issue, I also examined data from Yahoo Answers!. In particular, I did a search for “tall vs. short women” questions.
Source: http://thinkdrawart.com/short-girl-pictures
I collected a total of 54 responses over about 20 related questions. 29 of the responses were from men, and 25 from women. Of the men,
- 52% said that they like shorter women,
- 31% said that height is not an issue, and
- only 17% said that they like tall women.
These figures seem consistent with the results of my Attractive Women Survey which showed that only 19% of voters like tall women.
Of the women,
- 24% said that men like shorter women,
- 36% said that height is not an issue,
- 40% said that men like tall women.
What is especially interesting about the Yahoo! Answers data is that the woman’s view differs so greatly from the man’s view. Upon greater examination though, we found that of the 10 women who claimed that men prefer taller women, 7 were 5’8”-5’9”, and 1 was 5’5”. Therefore, the relatively small data-set and abnormal height distribution of respondents likely skewed the results.
Data from more rigorous scientific studies also support the hypothesis that men have a preference for shorter women.
“We found that shorter, slimmer females with long slender legs, a curvy figure and larger breasts are more attractive,” said lead researcher Dr William Brown of Brunel University.
~~[The Telegraph]
Nettle’s study on 10,000 people born in the UK in 1958 also showed that –
Shorter women are more likely to have long-term relationships with men, and more likely to have children …
~~[New Scientist]
Why Do Men Like Shorter Women?
Most female models are very tall. Based on this female ideal, it seems that all of us have a preference for the tall, thin, and willowy look.
Therefore, why does the survey and scientific results show that men like shorter women? It seems that here, at least, there is an inconsistency between the media feminine ideal and our real-world feminine ideal.
Certainly tall women have the following advantages –
- Clothes fall and drape more naturally on taller women.
- Tall women can handle extra weight much better than shorter women.
- Tall women get noticed more easily because they naturally stand out in a crowd.
All of these attributes make taller women especially suited for the modelling profession. We want models to stand out from the crowd and we want them to look especially good in a wide range of dress styles.
However, a woman’s greater height becomes more of a liability during mate selection because height is often associated with strength and power. These are traditionally traits that are highly regarded in men but less so in women. A tall woman may therefore have an emasculating effect on a shorter man.
In addition, while women frequently select mates based on strength, success, and power; men are more likely to select mates based on fertility. Nettle further pointed out that –
… girls with late sexual maturity will be taller than those who mature early, because they are growing for longer.
According to Nettle, taller women become fertile at a later date when compared to their shorter counterparts. This could also be another contributing factor to a man’s preference for shorter women.
Don’t Men Want Tall Sons?
What’s strange is that I would like to be taller and I would like my future son(s) to be taller. So it would really make more sense to choose a tall mate with genes that will produce a son who is tall. And yet I’m attracted to short women.
~~[Yahoo! Answers]
Another related factor to this tall vs. short women question is the height of our resulting children. If men do indeed select based on fertility, it seems that part of that fertility question would involve the strength and power of the resulting offspring. As was pointed out in the comment above, selection of a taller woman would increase the chances of producing a taller son.
However, based on all the data it seems that the attributes of our offspring are less significant than the social effects of having a taller female spouse, as well as possible maturity issues as related to height.
Are Tall Women Out of Luck?
Finally, it should also be mentioned that height selection and preference is a relative thing.
Most men like women that are shorter than they are and most women like men that are taller than they are. Men who are over 6 feet tall will have less problems dating tall women because they will still be the taller one in the relationship.
However, the distribution of heights for men and women follow the usual bell-curve shape. This suggests that tall women will have a smaller selection of men to choose from.
In terms of true feminine beauty, what seems far more important than height is proportion, health, and vivacity.
In terms of proportion, studies have shown that the hip-to-waist ratio is the most key indicator of fertility and attractiveness. Other aspects of proportion are symmetrical facial features and limb length.
So, if a woman is proportionate, confident, charming, and takes good care of herself (fitness, hair, skin, nails, grooming), it is guaranteed that many men will find her attractive and want to date her, no matter what her height.
Having said that, most women insist on dating men taller than them, so especially tall women have a much more limited pool to draw from.
My advice to tall women who feel self-conscious about their height: stop thinking so much about it. Take care of yourself and develop an attractive personality instead.
I’m 28 and have been 6’1″ since high school. After grade school I have yet to meet a single man who refused to date me over height. Although I have been with men taller than I am, most of the population, albeit male or female tends to be shorter than me. horter guys seem to see a tall woman as a challenge. They have this idea that bringing satisfaction to someone tall is more difficult, like if he manages to acheive his goal, it’s something to be proud of. So advice to some of my leggy ladies, if you pretend height doesn’t matter, so will they. If not, then that guy’s a loser and doesn’t deserve your time and affections anyway.
I am six feet tall and sixteen years old. It’s actually kind of nice, because I can see over crowds, but it is hard to get a date, and let’s be honest here, I’m just not that attracted to any guy who is more than a few inches shorter than me…
I am 5’8 and i love it! I love the attention i get. Especially with heel’s. Tall women embrace it.
In a world where it is so difficult for two people to find each other, fall in love, and maintain a healthy, long term relationship, I don’t understand why anyone would put barriers up- especially about height. I’m 5’4″ and I’ve dated men shorter and much taller than me; if I can date someone shorter than ME, a tall girl certainly can give an average height guy a chance. I understand people have types, and I’m not saying that you should keep seeing someone and string them along after a few dates if you truly aren’t attracted to him, but why not give someone outside of your “type” a chance? I have found that being more open and accepting has made me more attractive to others than I have any right to be just based on my physical appearance.
I’m 5’11” and I hate it! Everyone says they wish they were as tall as me and that I look like a model but what’s the point in looking like a model when guys can’t give you more than a second’s worth of attention. My height intimidates men and has been a problem in dating. I’m 17 and have never dated simply for the fact that I am taller than most men and they prefer shorter women.
I’m 20 years now, when I was younger I hated hated hated beig tall because of guys. Then I realized the guys that wouldn’t want to date me were young insecure men. Now that I’m older mature confident men could care less. I get told all the time wow she’s tall like a model. I love being tall now. It just was those few years where I hated it! I’m sure your gorgeous and I promise u will love your height when your older.
i really don’t like my height because it make me uncomfortable and i think my friend too. but i get over it beacuse there is this elven year old that is around 6’0-6’2 so that makes me feel good that i know i am not alone.
I’m 5’0 never had trouble with dating guys who are taller than me. The only problem is that as an artist, I never get the big roles because of my height…that sucks
well i’m 5 ft tall and 18 yrs old. but now i realized that it doesn’t matter b/c i have a curvey body. therefore, i automatically capture attention from most men. i would never date someone shorter than me.
To all of the girls who believe that they are too tall:
I was 5’8 in fifth grade. I’m now 5’10 and going into eighth grade. Not only did my height sprout at a very young age, but so did my physical features. By the time I got into 6th grade, I was already a C cup. They continued to grow. I stuck out like a sore thumb, let me tell you. But I’m not ashamed of my height, even when guys/girls make idiotic comments. Trust me, I’ve heard them all. From the corny jolly green giant to being related to Shaq. I would rather be 5’10 any day than be short and stocky, plus it only gets worse as you get older because as you age you increasingly put on weight. My brother is already 6’4 and is 16. My father is also 6’4, my mother is 5’8, and my uncle is 6’7. So basically I come from a very tall family all together. I get mistaken for being sometimes 7 years older than I am, and my boyfriend, who is 16 and is 5’7, doesn’t mind me being taller than him in the slightest. Even though his dad cracks jokes on him for being such a shorty and me being so tall. I’m not the thinnest tall girl you will ever meet, however. I’m actually kind of medium boned, but I’m very curvy and busty as well. Which I don’t think is a bad thing, because its proportionate to my height. Girls, don’t think of yourself as being some freak for being tall. Think of it as more of a blessing. Embrace your height. Have self confidence. Theres nothing wrong with it. The only thing thats kind of a downer to me is that I find high heels to be very cute, but I don’t want to be 6’2. I’m comfortable with my height, whether or not a guy finds it attractive. Finding a guy that loves you for who you are than being with some douche who judges you on outer appearances, ESPECIALLY height.
I’m 6′ 4″ and my most recent girl friend was only 5′. It was fine for most of the time as she was very fun although at some points I felt odd dating s girl that shared such height difference between me. I don’t think hight really maters.
Great article. You really have a knack for logical thinking, for finding and organizing material and presenting it in a optimal and easy-to-understand way. I also found the subject matter fresh, informative and interesting. The only slight issue that I had is when it came to what exactly constitutes “short” and “tall”. In the Yahoo answers, for example, I’m guessing that each of the respondents had their own different views on what is “short” and what is “tall”. I know this doesn’t apply when talking about relative heights between men and women (e.g., the couples–was the woman taller or shorter than the man?), but when talking about just “short” or “tall” it’s hard to really draw any conclusions without defining what each is.
I’m 5’6″, and I’ve been called both short and tall, depending on who the person is. With men–and talk about unscientific, I know but–guys who are about 5’10” have called me average. Guys 5’9″ or under tend to think I’m tall, and guys 5’11 and up have sometimes called me “short”. Women tend to think I’m “tall” or “short” depending on how much shorter or taller they are than me, and I think the same when it comes to men (but I think of it more in terms of my height preference when it comes to dating). To me, any guy 5’9 or under is “short”. Guys 5’10 or 5’11 are average. Guys 6′ and up are “tall”. What all this is getting at here is just that the terms are relative unless the people answering the questions are given specific guidelines–e.g., for women 5’4-5’6 is average, etc.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the read and the style in which it was presented. You’re definitely getting a follow from me. 😉
It goes both ways. Women will not date a short guy like me. I like both short and tall women but short and tall women hate short men! At 5’2″ I simply have to accept that there simply are no women who find me attractive. I can’t stand being alone and have even considered suicide! Everybody needs companionship but for short men this isn’t even possible!
i ‘m 5’7 and 17 years old and i’m taller then my mom, my sister and almost tall as my dad but his family are all tall my feet are a size 9 but all my family say i am done growing so i am ok how i am=)
Being 6’1 at 19 is rather tall and presents alot of problems for me. I struggle to feel comfortable around people knowing i stand out as much as i do. I’m naturally blonde but dye my hair dark to try to blend in. Im not skinny either just average so i don’t have the modelling advantage. I wouldn’t date a shorter guy (below 6’0) not because i don’t find them attractive but because i don’t want the attention i recieve. I would definitly prefer to be 5’9.
well im 15 and jst completed being 5’6. im the shortest in my family bt i think i would loom nice in heels, lol guys above 5’10 r a dream for me cuz i think i luk rilly short and tiny infront em. bt dis article has changed my view bt seriously think tat end of the day,its ur personalitu nt ur height! haha
I am 5’9 and i do not get any attention from men. My sisters are shorter, cuter and more desirable than me. Even though they are already moms they are still followed by men. I have felt so lonely over the years. Now that i am approaching 30 years and still alone, i am seriously thinking of adopting a kid to show it with this love i feel inside of me. So out of experience being a tall girl sucks. It’s so sad not to find love because of our physical appearances.
I am a shorty 5’2″ my 6’6″ uncle told me when I was a teenager that I could date anyone. And yes height has never been a dating issue by my intimidating men with height only umpalumpa’s.
I am a tall woman. The tallest woman on my maternal side. Thank God for my mother who always told me to walk tall, embrace it it’s who you are. I never wanted or desired to be short. I never felt awkward around shorter women or men. I have NEVER had a problem with relationships. My longest relationship being 11 years, I left him he didn’t leave me.
All through grade school, boys were attracted to me some short and tall. Now, I would be telling an untruth if I said I never heard the she’s too tall saying. But it didn’t bother me, because words like those come from people with insecurties. If you have insecurties then, this confident person can’t sooth those over for you. Only theraphy would help with that.
For so long I thought I was 5’10 and happily told anyone who asked my height, how tall I am. A doctor visit a few months ago where I was measured revealed I am 5’8. Not that anything is wrong with 5’8, but I enjoyed my 5’10 theory. Anyway, I never shy away from heels, I’m a woman no matter what, I love being feminine in every elimate.
There are men who are intimidated by height, but I say there lost. Why limit yourself? I don’t. I date short, tall, black, white….I am not about limits.
I loooovvveeee being tall! Great article!
I LOLed at the comments where tall girls say the short ones envy them. Personally I find tall women interesting and I look at them from the same reason as why I look at a rare car. I just dont see much of them. I find them interesting. Its hard to miss a tall girl and its a reflex to look at what stands out. Dont get all excited about it. For me the most attractive woman is the one that actually looks like a woman. She must have curves, be feminine, have nice hair, beautiful face.. And usually the short girls have those attributes. Which is why they get all the guys.
What does having a feminine face and nice hair have to do with height? And you can be curvy at any height as it’s just about hip to waist ratio, cup size etc, I’m only 15 and 5’8 and have been catcalled and groped by men so I dont think height puts them off 🙁 some of the prettiest girls I know are taller, also ofc both heights can look good, but to me really short women tend to look kind of compressed and stocky sometimes lol