Thank you CNN, for pointing out prejudice I didn’t know was affecting me. Honestly, I did not know about “heightism� — discrimination based on height for unusually tall or short (primarily short) people.
At 4 foot 9 inches, I definitely qualify.
Any woman under 5’2� is considered shorter than average. Men have to fall under 5’7� to be considered as such.
I̢۪ve always been short and I̢۪ve never really considered it a disadvantage. To me, it is merely something that can be accommodated. Stepladders at the ready and the occasional chair cushion depending on what car I am driving.
According to a report from the CNN Web site, short men and women alike say they suffer from ridicule and are even held back in the workplace because of their height.
In a 2006 study from Princeton, researchers Anne Case and Christina Paxson found that in general taller people are “smarter� than their shorter-statured brethren. One of their explanations for this is the idea that teachers may pay closer attention to more noticeable (taller) students. Or the habit that some parents have of enrolling larger, more physically developed children into school earlier than their smaller “more vulnerable� peers.
Short kids who get less attention in school thanks to their height are also more likely to end up with thinner pocketbooks. Case and Paxson’s study found that shorter individuals were likely to make less money — about 1 to 2 percent less — per inch than taller coworkers.
So why does this happen?
Part of it can be attributed to the fact that shorter people may be less educated or “less intelligent.� So the downward spiral that started in elementary school is perpetuated. Also, shorter people apparently seem “less confident.�
I admit that being short may have held me back from going on some rides at theme parks when I was younger but I have yet to find that being short makes me less confident.
Apparently some people think this discrimination is going too far, which is why the National Organization of Short Statured Adults was founded in 2005. The NOSSA is a non-profit foundation. Its Web site describes the organization as “a united organization of short men and women from around the globe, promoting the message of self-empowerment for all of its members, providing a supportive environment in which to share experiences, and committed to opposing heightism in society.�
Heightism as a form of prejudice has gone so far as to be prohibited by the state of Michigan and similar legislation is pending in Massachusetts. Not to be outdone, two areas of California — Santa Cruz and San Francisco — prohibit height discrimination as well.
What I find to be the most important though, is the NOSSA Web site’s clarification that the group does not promote a “victim’s mentality.�
To quote the site, “We encourage all of our members to take responsibility for their own lives and remind them that although we can not always control our circumstances in life, we can always control our response.�
So no matter whether you are short or tall, green-eyed or brown-eyed, lefty or righty, what this organization is saying is “deal with it.�
Make the accommodations necessary to live your life. I believe that can be said to every person on this planet who is facing an obstacle, whether it be physical, mental, economical or whatever.
There are some day-to-day fussy things I don̢۪t like dealing with.
Sometimes I have to ask for help in the grocery store. I have to have all of my pants hemmed, even if they are labeled “petite� and yes, there are nicknames including, “Midget,� “Small Fry,� “Short Stuff� and my personal favorite, coined in fourth grade, “The Walking, Talking Pocket Sized Dictionary.�
But, if you̢۪ll pardon the pun, the long and short of it is: It̢۪s not keeping me from living my life.
Jasonlees • Aug 31, 2010 at 12:53 pm
You are an idiot for believing that stupid study that says short people are less intelligent.
Al Arby • Aug 18, 2008 at 8:03 am
At 5′ 3″ short. and 56 years of age, I have heard every name in the book thrown at me. I’ve had people ignore me in retail and food establishments. When there is a crowd at the counter they talk to the taller people first no matter how long you have been waiting. Anywhere where there is a crowd you are ignored. If you try to speak up and participate people look down at you as if you had no right to be there. I’ve had people rhyme off Randy Newman’s Short People song to me. Eg. I have no reason to live. And yes I get the true meaning of the song. You can’t be a racist or a sexist, but it’s open season on heightism because it’s socially acceptable. If you think I’m just sour grapes then I rest my case.
Al Arby • Aug 18, 2008 at 3:03 pm
At 5′ 3″ short. and 56 years of age, I have heard every name in the book thrown at me. I’ve had people ignore me in retail and food establishments. When there is a crowd at the counter they talk to the taller people first no matter how long you have been waiting. Anywhere where there is a crowd you are ignored. If you try to speak up and participate people look down at you as if you had no right to be there. I’ve had people rhyme off Randy Newman’s Short People song to me. Eg. I have no reason to live. And yes I get the true meaning of the song. You can’t be a racist or a sexist, but it’s open season on heightism because it’s socially acceptable. If you think I’m just sour grapes then I rest my case.
Marcus Billingsgate • Apr 14, 2008 at 5:03 am
I hope you dont mind a guys perspectus on this matter.Now i am 22 yrs old now and am 4’10 okay lucky for me being a whole inch taller just jessing.My twin brother is 5’11 tall.Something to do with me not growing in the womb and sych like.Now i never did match him for height he was always at least 4 ins tall and then when he reached 8 yrs old he just grew and grew has i like to say into a giant has compared to me i dont even know his eye colour or hair colour only joking.I just say that i have to laugh or i would cry which was what i mainly did while growing up.I also have a younger sister who is 16 yrs old and she is 5’8.I am hoping she has stopped growing has i cant look into her face has i could when she was 10 yrs old.Both my parents are 5’7 and 5’9 so i dont know why i couldnt get any taller.I am in good company with my grandad who is 5’0 tall and a marvellous person.Then there is my uncle who is 4’11 whenever there are family gatherings you will only see me and grandad and my uncle sitting or standing together.Grandad tells them he dosnt want to have to keep looking at peoples chests when he talks to them.So unless they want to join in they have to sit down.
At firse i had trouble with jobs but i am now settled in one that is good.It is maintenance work which the guy who took me on thought i wouldnt be able to do it he was so wrong about me.The is a secretary at the place i work and one day buit up courage to speak to her now i didnt see her that much but she was always seated and answering the phone.I was chatting to her and asked if she wanted to go to lunch with me she said okay if i brought a friend which i did.We arranged to go outside for lunch.I can to her desk just has she was switchting her calls to be diverted for someone to take.She stood up and walked round the desk i noticed her height straight away shw was about 5’9 tall.She was very straightforward about the height and said do you still want to go off course i said.I asked politely how tall she was and she said with these shoes on i am 5’11 without shoes 5’9 so i was bang on.We met her friend and my friend for luch and everything was just great my friend was quite abit taller than me he was 5’6 and her friend was 5’4.They got on just great and are still together.Me i am doing okay after a few lunch dates we stopped but i have seen a new woman at work and she seems within my reach lol she is about 5’2 tall so i am hoping.
Marcus Billingsgate • Apr 14, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I hope you dont mind a guys perspectus on this matter.Now i am 22 yrs old now and am 4’10 okay lucky for me being a whole inch taller just jessing.My twin brother is 5’11 tall.Something to do with me not growing in the womb and sych like.Now i never did match him for height he was always at least 4 ins tall and then when he reached 8 yrs old he just grew and grew has i like to say into a giant has compared to me i dont even know his eye colour or hair colour only joking.I just say that i have to laugh or i would cry which was what i mainly did while growing up.I also have a younger sister who is 16 yrs old and she is 5’8.I am hoping she has stopped growing has i cant look into her face has i could when she was 10 yrs old.Both my parents are 5’7 and 5’9 so i dont know why i couldnt get any taller.I am in good company with my grandad who is 5’0 tall and a marvellous person.Then there is my uncle who is 4’11 whenever there are family gatherings you will only see me and grandad and my uncle sitting or standing together.Grandad tells them he dosnt want to have to keep looking at peoples chests when he talks to them.So unless they want to join in they have to sit down.
At firse i had trouble with jobs but i am now settled in one that is good.It is maintenance work which the guy who took me on thought i wouldnt be able to do it he was so wrong about me.The is a secretary at the place i work and one day buit up courage to speak to her now i didnt see her that much but she was always seated and answering the phone.I was chatting to her and asked if she wanted to go to lunch with me she said okay if i brought a friend which i did.We arranged to go outside for lunch.I can to her desk just has she was switchting her calls to be diverted for someone to take.She stood up and walked round the desk i noticed her height straight away shw was about 5’9 tall.She was very straightforward about the height and said do you still want to go off course i said.I asked politely how tall she was and she said with these shoes on i am 5’11 without shoes 5’9 so i was bang on.We met her friend and my friend for luch and everything was just great my friend was quite abit taller than me he was 5’6 and her friend was 5’4.They got on just great and are still together.Me i am doing okay after a few lunch dates we stopped but i have seen a new woman at work and she seems within my reach lol she is about 5’2 tall so i am hoping.
Mustapha Patel • Feb 16, 2008 at 8:05 am
I have suffered at the hands of people being prejudiced about people with short height.I live in India and i have my parents who are both short dad is 4’7 mum is 4’5.I am the oldest 4’2.My brother Norimar is 4’8 Jesimdar she is 4’6 then is Jashita she is 4’9.I am 45 years old and the rest all run in every 2 years.Growing up i knew i wasnt going to be tall has our height was always mentioned.So i didnt mind until my sisters and brother grew taller than me.Take Jashita she is 39 years old and 7 ins at least taller than me.The shame on me is that i couldnt even get taller than my mum i mean 3 ins is 3 ins.When she wears shoes she is even taller standing at least 6 ins.I get my dad mentionening all the time how i have brought shame on the family and i will never find a woman to marry me has i am too short.We dont have any help with treatment to be made taller.I then make it worse by saying that instead of taking it out on me that when we all go out his height is short when mum is wearing her shoes so what is the big deal.I just say that Jashita and Norimar are both taller than him so there.At least i can find work while the others cant.Mum and dad have not worked for years expecting us to do it.So with me being the shortest out of us all and me bringing home the money.So i think that makes me a bigger person than the rest of the family.
Mustapha Patel • Feb 16, 2008 at 3:05 pm
I have suffered at the hands of people being prejudiced about people with short height.I live in India and i have my parents who are both short dad is 4’7 mum is 4’5.I am the oldest 4’2.My brother Norimar is 4’8 Jesimdar she is 4’6 then is Jashita she is 4’9.I am 45 years old and the rest all run in every 2 years.Growing up i knew i wasnt going to be tall has our height was always mentioned.So i didnt mind until my sisters and brother grew taller than me.Take Jashita she is 39 years old and 7 ins at least taller than me.The shame on me is that i couldnt even get taller than my mum i mean 3 ins is 3 ins.When she wears shoes she is even taller standing at least 6 ins.I get my dad mentionening all the time how i have brought shame on the family and i will never find a woman to marry me has i am too short.We dont have any help with treatment to be made taller.I then make it worse by saying that instead of taking it out on me that when we all go out his height is short when mum is wearing her shoes so what is the big deal.I just say that Jashita and Norimar are both taller than him so there.At least i can find work while the others cant.Mum and dad have not worked for years expecting us to do it.So with me being the shortest out of us all and me bringing home the money.So i think that makes me a bigger person than the rest of the family.
Justine Wilson • Feb 16, 2008 at 7:49 am
I am also in the same position of your good self.I am 19 yrs old and my height is 4’6.I stopped growing by the age of 10 yrs old.I was also called some ridiculous names.Even to this day i get called half pint when we go to a club.I am forever showing i.d.I have 2 sisters who got their height from my dad they are 5’9 and 5’11.My brother is also tall 6’2.My dads height is 6’0 and mums height is 5’5.The nearest person to my height is my cousin she is 12 and still growing.I can never reach anything at home and while outside it is even worse.I was in my bank queing to get some money out the cashier called out to see if anyone was around.I ended up going to her till and it was then that she realised what was wrong.She did say sorry so i was okay about it.I am working in a bank and some people are quite surprised at how well i have got on.I have had some things modernised for me.I have a lower computer desk and the chair can go high or lower.I also have my oqn step stool if i need it.The only problem was my first day at work and i had to have a photo i.d for work.A woman pushed round a massive machine and i was told to stand against a white background.Now when it came to her adjusting the machine it wouldnt go any lower than 5’0.I had to end up standing on a step stool so she could take it.She said after when i come round in 5 years time make sure you still have the step stool has we may need it.I think she may still need it because she is still walking round with this massive photo machine and i am not gonna get any taller.I have mentioned that having a digital camera would be easier or one of the cameras where the picture comes out straight away.It would save pushing this massive machine.I have found a few friends since being at work okay they are all taller than me.The shortest out of them is 5’3.I have also just found a nice guy who likes me for what i am.Also i do get him out of trouble at work which is funny.The guy is Mark and he is 21 years old.The funny thing is he is 5’1 tall.He laughs about it that he didnt thing he would find a woman shorter than he was.I usually meet him for a date after work and we go for a drink.Even though he has to wear a suit to work he says this is the only time i dont get asked my age and have to show i.d.He says because i have been here since i started work .Now it was a different thing when we went to a pub near to where i lived and we both had to show i.d.Not that we arent used to it i suppose we will always have to do it.My sister says at least you will always look young that has to be a plus.I just say not really has i would have rathered been at least 5’0.Being so much shorter than my sisters and brother isnt nice.I mean i am over a foot shorter than them.My brother is a full 20 ins taller.I remember saying that it is no good blaming me for the height difference they must have taken all the height gene and when he came to me there was none left.I really hate being the shortest in my house andthe only time i am happy is when i am with Mark.No one knows about Mark yet has i want to see how we go when it gets serious you never know.I just dread having kids and they will end up being short.I suppose least we will all be short so it isnt too drastic hey.
Justine Wilson • Feb 16, 2008 at 2:49 pm
I am also in the same position of your good self.I am 19 yrs old and my height is 4’6.I stopped growing by the age of 10 yrs old.I was also called some ridiculous names.Even to this day i get called half pint when we go to a club.I am forever showing i.d.I have 2 sisters who got their height from my dad they are 5’9 and 5’11.My brother is also tall 6’2.My dads height is 6’0 and mums height is 5’5.The nearest person to my height is my cousin she is 12 and still growing.I can never reach anything at home and while outside it is even worse.I was in my bank queing to get some money out the cashier called out to see if anyone was around.I ended up going to her till and it was then that she realised what was wrong.She did say sorry so i was okay about it.I am working in a bank and some people are quite surprised at how well i have got on.I have had some things modernised for me.I have a lower computer desk and the chair can go high or lower.I also have my oqn step stool if i need it.The only problem was my first day at work and i had to have a photo i.d for work.A woman pushed round a massive machine and i was told to stand against a white background.Now when it came to her adjusting the machine it wouldnt go any lower than 5’0.I had to end up standing on a step stool so she could take it.She said after when i come round in 5 years time make sure you still have the step stool has we may need it.I think she may still need it because she is still walking round with this massive photo machine and i am not gonna get any taller.I have mentioned that having a digital camera would be easier or one of the cameras where the picture comes out straight away.It would save pushing this massive machine.I have found a few friends since being at work okay they are all taller than me.The shortest out of them is 5’3.I have also just found a nice guy who likes me for what i am.Also i do get him out of trouble at work which is funny.The guy is Mark and he is 21 years old.The funny thing is he is 5’1 tall.He laughs about it that he didnt thing he would find a woman shorter than he was.I usually meet him for a date after work and we go for a drink.Even though he has to wear a suit to work he says this is the only time i dont get asked my age and have to show i.d.He says because i have been here since i started work .Now it was a different thing when we went to a pub near to where i lived and we both had to show i.d.Not that we arent used to it i suppose we will always have to do it.My sister says at least you will always look young that has to be a plus.I just say not really has i would have rathered been at least 5’0.Being so much shorter than my sisters and brother isnt nice.I mean i am over a foot shorter than them.My brother is a full 20 ins taller.I remember saying that it is no good blaming me for the height difference they must have taken all the height gene and when he came to me there was none left.I really hate being the shortest in my house andthe only time i am happy is when i am with Mark.No one knows about Mark yet has i want to see how we go when it gets serious you never know.I just dread having kids and they will end up being short.I suppose least we will all be short so it isnt too drastic hey.
Justine Wilson • Feb 16, 2008 at 7:21 am
hi
Justine Wilson • Feb 16, 2008 at 2:21 pm
hi
JD • Apr 16, 2007 at 6:34 pm
what is the opinion here? that some people are short?
JD • Apr 17, 2007 at 1:34 am
what is the opinion here? that some people are short?
The Observer • Apr 16, 2007 at 10:11 am
Sometimes it pays to be short, like that time I was cast for the role of “Hobbit #7”.
The Observer • Apr 16, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Sometimes it pays to be short, like that time I was cast for the role of “Hobbit #7”.