“Why do women like taller men more?” The question has been the subject of many researches for many years, especially in the fields of sociology and psychology.
As a result of the researches, it was clear that the overwhelming majority of women actually liked them more than taller men. Of course, evolutionary psychologists have some claims on this subject.
The ‘ideal men’ in the novels, fairy tales and movies we have been exposed to since our childhood were always tall.
Researches; revealed that 95% of men in romance novels, cartoons and fairy tales are 1.80 cm and over, which makes tall men the ‘ideal fantasy men’.
The findings of the studies show that women feel safer around men who are on average 10-20 cm taller than them.
In the survey conducted by Girl Power Girl Strong site on the height preferences of male partners; 76% of women admitted that they felt more comfortable in a relationship where the man was taller.
25% of the respondents said that a height difference between 10-15 cm and 11% between 15-20 cm is ideal. Men, on the other hand, liked to be taller than their partners, but did not care about the height difference as much as women.
The primal instincts of women are still at work!
Evolutionary psychologists argue that women’s primal instincts are of no small importance. Allegedly, women in the past preferred taller men to protect themselves from predators and increase their chances of survival, so their instincts on this issue still remain.
The most primitive instinct of women; to have the tallest, strongest and most dominant male with the best genes and also to raise strong offspring.
“The dominance perspective applies to humans as it does to animals.”
John Malouff, associate professor of psychology at the University of New England in Australia, says: Women may consciously or unconsciously prefer tall men for evolutionary reasons. As it is known, tall men are more successful in physical arguments with other men. This theory is a dominance perspective that applies to gorillas and many other animals. It is the same with humans.
Tall men are seen as ‘leaders’.
Also, taller men can give women a feeling of being protected by a stronger person. Studies reveal that taller men are seen as leaders and are seen as relatively qualified than shorter men competing against them.
In short; Women tend to associate height with masculinity, just as they associate athleticism with masculinity. So they feel protected and this gives them confidence.
Scientists also explain how some gender stereotypes are linked to a preference for tall men.
“The ability to provide masculine physical protection is clearly linked to the gender stereotype in which men are appointed as protectors,” said George Yancey, a professor of sociology at the University of North Texas, in a press release.
“In a society that encourages men to be dominant and women to be submissive, the image of tall men over short women reinforces this value.”
- Sources: Prof. John Malouff, Girl Power Girl Strong, George Yancey & Michael O. Emerson
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