I have long chafed under the knowledge that, no matter how many “advances” are made toward equality, I still make about 20 to 25% less than my male counterpart in a similar professional position. Now I learn that I’m probably making about another 10% less because I’m short! Slate is carrying an article that cites several studies showing that tall people are both better paid AND more intelligent.
While height, on its own, bears a strong relation to pay, when adult height is included along with measures of childhood intelligence in pay analyses, it no longer does the explanatory work on its own. Height appears to matter, when intelligence is not included, because taller people are, on average, smarter.
I’m definitely below average height, but I do flatter myself that I am above average intelligence. And yet…well, the smartest person I know does measure in around 6′4″. But I also know many brilliant people who are my size or smaller. And we shorties? We’re all pretty poor.
September 7, 2006 at 10:41 pm
Height makes a difference when you’re a guy also -especially when looking for a date. Some girls, especially short ones, only date guys over 6 feet. I have asked many over 6 foot girs that have worked for me if they would date shorter guys, and you can guess the answer.
September 8, 2006 at 10:10 am
I don’t know–most of my tall girlfriends have dated short men. Most of my short guy friends tend to date women taller than they are.
September 10, 2006 at 1:38 pm
I think women between about five-five and five-nine might discriminate against shorter guys; but I don’t think women five-ten and taller discriminate as much, because it overly narrows their options. If they’re going to be an inch taller than their boyfriend (or four inches in heels) anyway, they’d might as well open the field to the coolest guy, regardless of height.