Is Height a Prerequisite for Excellence?
Tall people often seem to have it all; they never have to worry about a tall person blocking their view at the cinema, and they don’t need to roll up their pants. This article sheds some light on why shorter individuals might face a few more challenges.
Ever dream of being taller? Ever wondered why, despite being surrounded by tall family members, you’re just 5’2″? You might jokingly say you got the “short gene,” and you might be onto something.
Studies involving over 12,000 people suggest that missing genetic information could influence your height. While it’s commonly thought that your stature is entirely inherited—blame it on that petite aunt, perhaps—the truth is a bit more nuanced. Yes, your genes play a significant role, but it’s also about the genetic material that didn’t make it into your DNA.
Research indicates that missing sections of DNA can determine whether you’re five feet tall or six. If your cells have either extra or missing DNA segments, it indicates changes in your chromosomes, known as copy number variants. Some of these variants are common, but others are rare and more frequently found in shorter individuals.
Adding to the plight of shorter people, studies have also found that taller individuals tend to be happier. People above average height—5’10” for men and 5’4″ for women—report higher levels of happiness. In fact, men who describe their lives negatively are typically about an inch shorter than average, while women with a similar outlook are about half an inch shorter.
One reason tall people might be happier is that they often achieve higher levels of education and, consequently, more successful and well-paid careers. Many agree with these findings, pointing out that tall individuals naturally draw attention the moment they enter a room—after all, they’re hard to miss.
But don’t lose hope if you’re on the shorter side; many successful people are shorter. Take Danny DeVito, for instance. Standing at 4’9″, he’s one of the most successful actors in history. Edward Carl Gaedel was the smallest professional baseball player in the 1950s at just 3’7″. And Jason “Wee Man” Acuña of “Jackass” fame is a little over four feet tall but can pull off stunts just as impressive as his 6’1″ co-star Johnny Knoxville. So, height isn’t everything – success and happiness come in all sizes.
