# Are we breeding for height? (Or: Ladies, do you like tall men?) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 15, 2000, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128 "2000-04-15T20:26:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/1 "2000-04-15T20:26:00Z")
Not sure whether this goes in Great Debates or MPSIMS, but since I am taking a poll, I chose the latter. The “Why Are We Getting Taller Thread?” over in General Questions got me to thinking. Here’s the link, by the way: [http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/007559.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/007559.html) I believe nutrition is the main reason for the trend towards taller humans, but are we also _breeding_ for height? Will we one day be a race of giants? I’d like to do a little unscientific survey: Ladies, **if all other factors are equal** , would you choose a tall man as your mate? Is there a limit? Would you shy away from a **very** tall man? Be **honest**! ---
**Author:** ![Breckinshire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71c47a/32.png) [@Breckinshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Breckinshire)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/2 "2000-04-15T20:37:00Z")
Breeding for height? Well, the theory of natural selection says that only the fittest will survive and therefore reproduce. A taller man suggests that he is leading a healthier life than a short man; he is getting good food, no diseases, etc. Supposedly, women will choose taller men because they want healthy genes for their children. There are also a bunch of other physical attributes that are desirable, such as a female hip-to-waist ratio of 7:1. * * * \*A doctor can bury his mistakes but an architect can only advise his client to plant vines. - Frank Lloyd Wright \* ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/3 "2000-04-15T20:42:00Z")
SPOKE, it’s hard to determine what you mean by “if all other factors are equal.” I think a lot of women are attracted to men for a number of reasons, one of which may be height. For me, though, if I met a great guy who was wonderful in every way but just happened to be short, I wouldn’t turn my nose up just because he’s not tall. That said, my S.O. is, um, 6’4", but I’m pretty sure I’d feel the same way about him if he was 5’4". ## In general, I do think people (all people) are programmed to be attracted to individuals who appear well-grown and healthy, and that may include a preference (by both sexes) for medium-to-tall over short. Jodi _Fiat Justitia_ ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/4 "2000-04-15T20:50:00Z")
**Jodih** - Let me clarify. Imagine two versions of your own S.O. One is average height, say 5’10" (if that _is_ average). The other is 6’4". Which would you choose? (Does this help clarify?) ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/5 "2000-04-15T20:51:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Breckinshire: > \*\*Breeding for height? Well, the theory of natural selection says that only the fittest will survive and therefore reproduce. A taller man suggests that he is leading a healthier life than a short man; he is getting good food, no diseases, etc. Supposedly, women will choose taller men because they want healthy genes for their children. There are also a bunch of other physical attributes that are desirable, such as a female hip-to-waist ratio of 7:1. > > \*\* Thanks for the chuckles, Breckinshire. Both of them. 🙂 Peace, mangeorge * * * Teach your kids to bungee jump. One them might have to cross a bridge someday. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/6 "2000-04-15T21:15:00Z")
I’m gonna be asked for a cite here and I don’t have one but… I am certain that I’ve seen studies done that say income is related to height. That most CEO’s are well above average height. Far be it for me to suggest there could be mercenary instincts unconsciously deployed here but success \*is \* attractive. Gwaun shoot me down as a no-legs sort of guy the reassurance would be kinda nice! ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/7 "2000-04-15T21:20:00Z")
## SPOKE – I don’t know how to answer that, except to say that I do not have any personal preference for taller men over shorter men. If two men were equal in every other way, I honestly don’t know which I’d pick, since the height-thing is not something I care about. Maybe the first one to ask me out? The point is, I think your question is deceptive, in that it presupposes that height is important when it isn’t, necessarily. If I presented you with two women, equal in every respect but one blue-eyed and one brown-eyed, and you said you’d take the blue-eyed one, I don’t think I could then conclude you have a particular “thing” for blue-eyed women, if, in real life, you’d take a sweet or pretty or smart brown-eyed girl over a mean or homely or dumb blue-eyed girl any day. In the final analysis, maybe eye color is just a characteristic you don’t really care all that much about, you know? Jodi _Fiat Justitia_ ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/8 "2000-04-15T21:28:00Z")
Another clarification: My question relates more to what a woman finds physically appealing, rather than to her reasons for chosing a spouse. (Theoretically, a woman might chose a spouse for entirely different reasons than she choses a sexual partner.) Is height sexually attractive to women? Do tall men “turn you on”? If so, is there a limit on _how_ tall? (Is a 6’10" guy more interesting than a 6’4" guy, or _less_ so?) Ladies, help me out here, please. ---
**Author:** ![2sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e47774/32.png) [@2sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2sense)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/9 "2000-04-15T21:36:00Z")
Hmm. Are all of my threads going to have spinoffs? **Breckinshire** : LOL dude. * * * ## Just putting my 2sense in. _Tyranny_,\* like Hell\*,\* is not easily conquered\*. -Thomas Paine (fugitive slave catcher) ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/10 "2000-04-15T21:36:00Z")
**jodih** wrote: > [@](#): > > The point is, I think your question is deceptive, in that it presupposes that height is important when it isn’t, necessarily. I don’t mean to presuppose that. That’s why I included the stipulation “ **all other things being equal**.” I realize that height is just one of many factors, and that’s why I’m trying to narrow the scope of the question by eliminating the other factors in this way. And respondents to my little poll are free (and welcome) to say “It doesn’t matter,” or “I would chose the average-sized man over the tall man.” I appreciate your insights though. I will step aside now, and let the survey run its course for a while. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/11 "2000-04-15T21:49:00Z")
Well, I am 5’ 10", so I’d tend to go for the taller one, _all else being equal_. There’s just something about being engulfed (not the right word, but I can’t think of any other way to describe it) by a man. Course, it really doesn’t matter, cause men shorter than 6’ tend to be intimidated by me anyway. ---
**Author:** ![sorrel554](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@sorrel554](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sorrel554)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/12 "2000-04-15T21:49:00Z")
I think it can depend on your own height. I am 5’3". I have dated guys who were up to 6’3". My current SO, for the past four years, is 5’5". I know that he wishes he were a little taller, but I couldn’t care less. I like it that he is not so very much taller than I am. When I dated the 6’3" guy, it was awkward to kiss, dance, or even talk while we were standing, because I was always looking up. ## So, to answer the question, if I were given the choice between my SO at his current height or six inches taller, I’d take him as he is. Those who do not learn from history are condemned to fail the class. --A **WallyM7** creation ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/13 "2000-04-15T22:01:00Z")
I know I’m never attracted to anybody under 6 feet tall, and anybody over then 6’5 creeps me out for some reason. Luckily I fell in love with someone who is 6’4. Lucky huh? It’s odd that I like tall guys becaues I’m barely 5’4 ---
**Author:** ![A\_girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c68b51/32.png) [@A\_girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_girl)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/14 "2000-04-15T22:06:00Z")
I’d go for the taller, given a choice. I like a big, strong, tall man. I like being enveloped by muscles. 🙂 A girl ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/15 "2000-04-15T22:09:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Jezebel: > \*\*Well, I am 5’ 10", so I’d tend to go for the taller one, _all else being equal_. There’s just something about being engulfed (not the right word, but I can’t think of any other way to describe it) by a man. > > Course, it really doesn’t matter, cause men shorter than 6’ tend to be intimidated by me anyway.\*\* Not me, Amazon Woman. 😉 I’m 5’9" and, in a purely physical way, kinda prefer women around my own height. A better “horizontal” fit, you might say. That being said, in a relationship height doesn’t really make any difference. I do believe that women generally prefer taller men. Peace, mangeorge (\*\*Not afraid of Jezebel :cool 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mega\_the\_roo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@mega\_the\_roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mega_the_roo)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/16 "2000-04-15T22:12:00Z")
i’m with jezebel on ‘being engulfed.’ there’s just something about a taller man that makes me feel feminin and safe. * * * “Organs gross me out. That’s _organs_, not orgasms.” -the wallster ---
**Author:** ![Gundhilde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecc23a/32.png) [@Gundhilde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundhilde)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/17 "2000-04-15T22:17:00Z")
I’d go for the shorter/average guy, mainly because I’m 4’11", so exceedingly few guys are shorter than me. But even “short” guys are usually 5-7 inches taller than me, anyway. I wouldn’t turn someone away just because of height, of course, but on a purely physical basis, I’ll go for the shorter guys–less awkward to talk to, etc., and with me being short, everything evens out. My answer is: I do gravitate toward the shorter men, but for all I know, that’s just because I’m below average height, myself. * * * “Who controls the past controls the future; who controls the present controls the past.” --1984 ---
**Author:** ![MadPoet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@MadPoet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPoet)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/18 "2000-04-15T22:55:00Z")
I’m only 5’8", so there’s a bit of short man’s syndrome coming out here, but… There is definately a power trip in looking down at someone. So taller guys tend to feel superior to shorter, and shorter tend to defer to the taller. Hence the prevalence in taller CEOs. (I’ve never worked for one under 6 ft, has anyone?) Women (in general) seem to want to be submissive (puts on a helmet and flame retardant suit), and so are going to go for the taller guy when given the choice. Even if it isn’t a height issue to them, the taller guy is going to be more confident than the shorter, and confidence is the #1 factor. There’s too many factors involved with human relations to make any kind of definate statement, but I think that the above is true in more cases than not. * * * [http://www.madpoet.com](http://www.madpoet.com) I am human, and I need to be loved Just like anybody else does ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/19 "2000-04-15T23:15:00Z")
Ladies pease explain ,I’ve never understood this, Why do yousay ,or some do anyway ,that you like your man to be taller than you and then put high shoes on? ---
**Author:** ![A\_girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c68b51/32.png) [@A\_girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_girl)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2000, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128/20 "2000-04-15T23:19:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Why do yousay ,or some do anyway ,that you like your man to be taller than you and then put high shoes on? We like him to be taller than us so we _can_ put high shoes on! A girl * * * A girl’s Body Part of the Week: [The Eyes Have It!](http://www.thecats.com/images/eyes.jpg) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-breeding-for-height-or-ladies-do-you-like-tall-men/16128.md?page=2)