Why is height a big deal for women?

[blueandwhite]

I never understood why women are picky when it comes to height. What's the emphasis on guys having to be taller than them? It makes no sense.

I've heard that girls prefer taller guys because they feel safer around them. Newsflash, height is overrated when it comes to a persons ability to fight. I know many short guys who can fight.

I'm not a short guy who's bitter. I'm 6'3", and very few women I know are taller than me. So this isn't a personal problem, just some nonsense that I observed.

I personally could care less about the height of a woman I date. It's unusual for me to find one taller than me, but something like height wouldn't hurt her chances with me. That's for insecure guys.

So ladies, why is height such a big deal?

[HenryK]

Too be honest its mostly american woman that feel this way. I noticed most foreign girls really don't care at all.

Atleast I know that for a fact with europeans, and even Japan. If you go to Japan, most girls don't care for the bigger guy. In fact most of them are unattracted to it.

As for fighting, that really doesn't solve anything ever. Didn't you learn that as a kid? I remember my mamma dated a guy for 12 years. He was much shorter, since my mom is 5'10., and he wasn't strong at all. However, my mom felt very safe around him because he was very intelligent, and anytime something bad happened, he could get them out and he could do it quickly.

I believe that is true strength.

Mind is much more powerful than muscle, and I would believe most girl would be more attracted to an average, but confident intelligent man, than a dumb, but physically powerful/tall one.

[TheSpartan]

It's a cultural thing. For better or worse, height is conflated with strength and physical prowess among the weak minded of Western society.

[Anonymous]

"So ladies, why is height such a big deal?"

Women often ask a very similar question like this to men in regards to looks. Why are looks such a big deal? Just because a woman is very good looking, it doesn't mean she is a good person inside or that her genetics are good so would you also consider that way of thinking as "overrated"?

Honestly, what it all boils down to is preference. There are a lot of women have that natural attraction to taller men just like a lot of men are naturally drawn to those drop dead gorgeous women. The only difference is that some people are more flexible when it comes to their preferences in the opposite sex and others flat out refuse to change what they like for anyone. Nothing about all of this is "nonsense". It's just how some people are.

[blueandwhite]

Guys who make that mistake about looks (in terms of overlooking many other qualities) are no better. I've made that mistake once or twice before but I don't use the fact that it's instinctive for males as an excuse for my stupidity. I made a mistake, no excuses.

Other than the protection myth, I see no reason why women would prefer taller men. There's short guys that are brave and tall guys that are cowards.

[Opinion Owner]

At least you learned from it. Kudos to you. As for why some women prefer taller men, as I said before, it's all about preferences. Some women find tall men attractive just like some women love muscular men over skinny ones or men who prefer blondes over brunettes or simply love women who have large breasts and so on. A lot of women don't use the whole "protection" myth to explain why they like tall men. They just find it attractive. The same applies to men.

[Opinion Owner]

I do feel the need to ask you a question though. Why does it bother you so much that there are women who like tall men? My hair is red and there are MANY men who want nothing to do with redheads because of silly stereotypes but that doesn't bother me one bit. If you like me then fine and if you don't then you don't. I'm not going to get bent out of shape over what other people like or don't like because it's just not worth the time or energy.

[ilovecookies]

I'm used to tall men, my dad is 6' and my brother is 6'1. I guess it all comes down to preference because my friend liked someone short though she's pretty short herself. I'm 5'4, and idk... 5'3 just seems a bit short for a guy...I like guys who are taller than me because it feels better when I lean on his shoulder, and I rather look up when we're kissing than look down. The last part is influenced by the media though, usually a girl kisses with their heads pointing up than down Also, when we're holding hands, I might have to place my shoulder lower so that I can reach him, and that's tiring. I don't like guys who are too tall either because some things would become more bothersome just like it would be with a shorter guy. I'm good with guys 5'6 to around 6'.

[vmw2008]

It's instinctive. A sign of good genes and masculinity. It also used to be a sign that the male could protect you and take care of you. Evolution hasn't really caught up. Bottom line though, while women care less about physical appearance than men do, it's been proven that height is at the top of the list for us across the board. Just in our DNA.

[blueandwhite]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, height is overrated when it comes to fighting. Also, if you mean financially when you mention a guy taking care of you, what does his height have to do with that? Besides, women who expect men to take care of them financially are gold diggers.

[vmw2008]

I was not talking financially, I was talking physically. I also said that evolution hasn't really caught up with modern times where a man does not need to be tall to be a better protector. Just like a woman with big breasts does not mean she'll be a better mother or produce "better" milk, but men still like big breasts. It's instinctual.

[TheSpartan]

You are actually wrong. There isn't much evidence that the female attraction to taller men is biologically or evolutionary rooted. Don't just take my word for it, either; Dr. Adam-Eyre Walker from the University of Sussex (Prof. of Evolutionary Biology) says that there is zero evidence to suggest that the bias for taller men is rooted in evolution as opposed to culture. The evolutionary was hyopthesis is further eroded when it was discovered that several modern-day stone-age cultures do not value height in men.

As far all tall men being better "protectors", I think that hypothesis is silly. While no studies have been done examining the physical prowess of tall vs. short men, I know from my powerlifting and martial arts background that the great strong men and fighters of history have been both tall and short. Doug Hepburn, Louis Cyr, Ed Coan, Larry Pacifico, Victor Delamarre, and Eugen Sandow are amongst the strongest men in history, and none of them are or were above 5'9 in height.

[Anonymous]

IDK I can't help it. I don't hate short guys, I would date a guy that's shorter as long as he isn't way shorter than me. I don't want to tower over my boyfriend and feel manly. I feel girlie and small and cute with a tall boyfriend.

I'm 5'6 and I would feel stupid walking around with a guy that's like 5'3. I don't mind a guy that's like 5'8 or something but I would prefer a guy that's like 6'3.

[likewoahhh]

i prefer taller guys,

because a guy who's taller/bigger than me

will make me feel safe & protected.

it's not like I'll turn down a guy just because

he's shorter than me, it's just a preference :)

[blueandwhite]

As I said before, height is overrated when it comes to ability to fight.

[likewoahhh]

i wasn't talking about fighting?

just in general.

[TheSpartan]

Taller or bigger than you? After all, height and size are not necessarily related. Ed Coan was 5'6, but was 242 lbs of pure muscle.

[xMissDeadx]

I'm 5'11 and I also like it if a guy is taller than me. A little bit doesn't matter. But it feel so weird... if they are shorter. Also if a girl wears high heels she likes to not be taller than her boyfriend. For me it has nothing to do with the ability to fight. It's just nicer if a guy is taller than me. But I don't really care. As long as the guy is nice.

[Anonymous]

I'm 5'8 and a little overweight so for me to be taller than a guy would make me feel like an amazon women. That's not a sexy feeling:)

[TheSpartan]

So you like tall men because you are fat?

[poppunk]

Dude I like now is 5'4, not a big deal to me