Why do short men get a bad rap?
For as long as I can remember, there has never been a girl who described her dream man as short.
It was always tall, dark and handsome.
But women can compromise the ‘dark’ part. They can even compromise the ‘handsome’ part. But you see the ‘tall’ bit, it takes a while for women to get over it.
If you are an avid reader, you will see that there aren’t many books that describe a protagonist as short. I am not even talking of just romance novels. I am talking generally. Suspense, thrillers, drama… you name it. Heroes are rarely every short in fiction.
So, when did this thing start?
When did tall men become prime male figures?
I did a little reading and someone claims that this dates to early times when women considered the physical strength of a man when choosing men to be with. It was important to be with a man who was strong enough to protect and provide for his woman.
ALSO READ: Billionaire men are still just men – Abiodun Kuforiji-Nkwocha
So, while it may not always be accurate, taller men come across as stronger.
That was then.
Right now, it isn’t that important to be with a man that can fight physically. One bullet will bring down an ox. The ability to protect and to provide has less to do with brawn and everything to do with brains. Or even financial empowerment.
So, we don’t really need men who will duel for our love or farm or hunt. Why then do women look for tall men?
Media is one thing, I guess. The media taught and retaught what to think is desirable. Take one look at Instagram and you realize why every girl wants a tiny waist and a huge butt.
But it isn’t just media.
Women like to look up to a man literally. There is something awkward about looking down at your man. The epitome of manliness is for a man to loom over his female. For the woman to be enfolded in all-encompassing hands.
So, let’s call a spade a spade.
Women like tall men, period!
I will not try to justify it. My aim of writing this is to give a voice to short men all over the world. Short men advocacy should be a thing.
Tall men take a number of things for granted. That women will be drawn to them is mostly a given. This is annoying to a lot of short men. This is not saying that short men are jealous or dislike tall men.
No. I am saying that masculinity is not a function of height and short men know that they are not inadequate in any way. Besides, you can always get a ladder.
Unfortunately, they have to keep proving this.
ALSO READ: Men are usually the weakest link in marriages – Abiodun Kuforiji-Nkwocha
Compensation is a thing with short men. They cannot physically fight taller men, but they can do it in other ways.
It is a well-known fact that short men have guts. They will boldly walk to where bigger men dread. Ask really tall women. A large percentage of men that come to them are short and not fazed by their size.
What a short man lacks in height, he makes up with balls.
A man with something to prove is rarely a slacker. Short men are stubborn and determined. They understand that people first of all react to what they see. They will be quick to let you know that they are not to be overlooked. You can rest assured that they will put you in your place. It is not uncommon to find that their tempers rival their height.
This is also understandable.
No one wants to be taken for granted. You take one look at a big guy and you become circumspect in every way. You look at a short guy and you are less guarded. Then prepare to be schooled.
Short men are not wicked. Come to think of it, short women are said to be troublesome as well.
They just don’t want to be messed with.
Where do you think the term ‘small but mighty’ came from?
Women are always quick to redress themselves. We eventually realize that there are not enough tall men for all the women. Someone will marry short men or not marry at all. I can tell you that a lot of my friends that married short men do not find them inadequate at all.
In fact, I will take a man with guts over a tall guy any day. I mean, have you seen those bowlegged, thick short men fight tall men with flailing limbs?
Before the tall guy can organize a jab with his freakishly long arm; the short guy would have gotten in a staccato of well-aimed blows to the stomach.
Furthermore, there are so many men with astounding achievements that are short.
Tom Cruise, Kevin Hart, Steven Spielberg, Humphrey Bogart, Napoleon Bonaparte, Sir Winston Churchill, Woody Allen. Even Martin Luther King Jr was not a tall man.
ALSO READ: Why older women want young boys – Abiodun Kuforiji-Nkwocha
Coming closer to home, shey your vice president is vertically challenged but is the number two man in the country.
Dear women, do not stigmatize men. Do not body shame them. Short men are still men.
No one is calling us out for our legendary big tummies (actually they are…). So, why do we keep talking about tall guys? Besides, we do that gragra and settle with who is available, what is the point of lying to ourselves that there is a tall guy out there waiting for us?
So, bottom line.
Consider a short guy today.
You will be glad you did.
Hey guys, keep at it.
Sanitize, wear a mask. Wash your hands. Avoid crowds.
COVID-19 exists but we are beating it.
Also get vaccinated. Ignore those bullshit WhatsApp broadcasts.
