A Tall Order

Page 310 #3, the article I chose to translate from scientific text into a non-academic wording is titled “Height, Relationship Satisfaction, Jealousy, and Mate Retention” by G. Brewer and C. Riley which can be found here.

Women are more likely attracted to a tall man versus a short man. It’s depicted in movies, television shows, and magazines, but is it science? Women may think it is just a visual preference, but in reality, it is programmed into them. We prefer more fit partners that are more likely to pass on the better traits to our children. Women are even more fascinated with tall men during their more fertile stages of their cycle, therefore enforcing the idea that tall men carry desirable characteristics.

How Far Are We Willing To Go?

Women who are dating tall men will actually start exercising more extreme strategies to keep their man around. These methods include improving their appearance and fitness in order to keep the man interested in them. Apparently it is working because tall men reported that they were more satisfied because their partner was conscientious. Women with tall partners are working on themselves, does that mean women with shorter men are not? Why are we so concerned with impressing our mates based on height?

Short Men, Short Relationships?

Women are so much more attracted to tall men, that they are even less likely to cheat. Infidelity rates are much lower with taller men than shorter men. Are we just waiting around for someone better and fit? Women in this study even warned that short men should watch out for more attractive rivals who could lead their partner to infidelity. Short men also expressed more jealous behavior- rightfully so.

Short End Of The Stick?

In contrast to these so-called desirable traits, short guys have a “platform” of their own. Bigger guys have more testosterone and testosterone can lead to aggression. Therefore smaller guys with less testosterone have a smaller chance of acting aggressively with others or their partner. They also try to keep their mate interested by increasing love and care towards the other person unlike tall guys who may monopolize your time because they know they have nothing to lose.