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Shortman syndrome is no myth

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Sophie Dahl and Jamie Cullum

We've all been exposed to it; short men who overcompensate for their lack of height through irate behaviour, otherwise known as 'short man syndrome'.

Now it seems scientists may have proof that the phenomenon really does exist.

A new study has revealed that vertically-challenged men are more prone to being jealous husbands and boyfriends than taller men.

Researchers in the Netherlands quizzed 100 men and 100 women about how jealous they were in their relationships. They were also asked how interested their partners were in members of the opposite sex.

The study showed shorter men were much more jealous than their taller counterparts.

Dr Abraham Buunk, who led the research commented: 'Taller men tended to be less jealous, and the tallest men were the least jealous.'

He added: 'In contrast very short and very tall women tended to be more jealous and women of approximately average height were the least jealous.'

Researchers believe the results show the insecurities among men and women who do not live up to society's 'ideal' height.

Past studies have revealed that women rate taller men as more attractive and powerful than shorter ones, while men prefer 'average' women, who are usually at least two inches shorter than them.

Thursday 13 March 2008

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Short men have a chip on their shoulder. They can be insecure and bitter. And they shouldn't even try attracting a girl taller than them. Wee guys just aren't sexy.
Comment by Diane on March 13 12:16

What constitutes a little/short/dwarf-like chap exactly?
Comment by Dan on March 13 14:18

I feel saddened that questioning only a hundred people should end all debates about short man syndrome or as the term used in the past 'Napolian syndrome'

I am a short man.

To cut along story short!, putting people in to category boxes is all to easy, and generalisations are not helpful for men and women at all. I do not suffer from this syndrome, I think probably because i am mature and do not act like a child because i can not get everything i would like.
Comment by Ben on March 13 15:25

About a year ago a study (in England) was undertaken to try and identify a more agressive trait in shorter men. It showed the opposite. The taller men were invariably more agressive. It barely raised a ripple in the media. Now a survey in the Netherlands (which only asks whether someone with a universally unattractive physical trait might feel insecure compared to someone with an attractive trait - wow. groundbreaking.) is reported throughout the media and used to justify nasty bigoted comments about agressiveness and chips on shoulders.
Lazy journalists always appeal to the nastier recesses of the public consciousness.
Comment by Richard on April 10 11:14

I am a short (gay) man, and seem to encounter as many problems based on this as my straight counterparts.

The reason we sometimes seem to have a "chip on our shoulder" is because others percieve us as somehow inferior (or wimpy) and this angers us. Yes, you should try ignore negative comments, but as Julia Roberts said in Pretty Woman, "People put you down enough, you start to believe it."

Perhaps if articles in magazines such as Marie Claire celebrated the achievements of attractive short men such as Michael J. Fox and Tom Cruise instead of picking on personality traits we would be less "bitter"!
Comment by Richard on February 11 10:12

Short men most definitely have a chip on their shoulder, as do women, particularly within workplace, they seem to be compensating vertically,insatiable, they are power hungry aggressors! they are major show offs and more extroverted, being more attentive towards short stuff cushions years of insecurity.
Comment by Anina on March 17 21:13

As a short bloke, I generally get that "he's so short" look when I first meet people or when taking a walk but those who do get to know me take it back. Another point is they think we are weak and they can push us off. 'power hungry' you 'taller ones' say, we have no choice, you guys push us but when the situation turns around the 'water works' kicks in with all the nasty verbal comments. Most of the world leaders, especially G8 leaders dont even hit pass the 6ft barrier.
Comment by nemo on January 23 18:46

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