Posted on 08/25/2005 8:41:56 AM PDT by CarrotAndStick
TALL, dark and handsome is the classic description of the perfect man.
But when it comes to perfect husbands, shorter men stand head and shoulders above the rest, a study has found. Women regard taller men as excellent for a fling but see short men as better companions to settle down with.
This could explain why Nicole Kidman married Tom Cruise, who at 170.2cm is 10cm shorter than her. But she only ever dated the 190cm Steve Bing. Or why Penny Lancaster, a rangy 180cm plus, chose the shorter Rod Stewart as her husband-to-be.
So did his 183cm ex-wife, Rachel Hunter, although she only had a fling with 185cm Robbie Williams.
Researchers believe women looking for the thrill of an affair or hoping to become pregnant tend to find taller men more desirable. Their height is a sign of their masculinity and their ability to father healthy children.
"Taller men have higher social status, earn more and are at lower risk from illness," said anthropologist Dr Boguslaw Pawlowski of the University of Wroclaw in Poland. "They also have better reproductive success."
However, the benefits quickly wear off, along with the initial attraction.
Evolutionary psychologist Nick Neave said: "You don't want to be surrounded by these guys all the time.
"The guys who are real leaders of the pack tend to not be very nice people. You don't want them around kids, they can be violent and leave you for someone else," Dr Neave said.
"If they are very handsome and very desirable there will be lots of other women competing for their attention.
"For a short-term relationship, you want somebody you are sexually attracted to, they don't have to be the best to get on with."
The scientists also looked at how women's fertility affected their choice of mate. They found that at the time of the month when women are most fertile, they were more attracted to taller men.
I didn't say that. What I was suggesting is that the above is what women hope is true when they settle down with a short dude, while pining for his opposite.
Its a trade off that women make. Were it not for the notion that short men are better controlled, women would choose tall men every time.
Basically, this article is skirting around the fact that there is deep difference between short-term infatuation and true, deep love. Often, the latter comes into play when procreation is the aim. How else can you explain the overwhelming number of shorter people all over the world, compared to taller ones. Surely if women desired taller and taller mates to have children, from time immemmorial, it should have resulted in 10' humans by now.
If you add that little bit, I then agree with you wholeheartedly.
Genetics, and mate selection has some bearing. But the overwhelmingly number of shorter people all over the world are decreasing in numbers. It's been evident that the last few generations the world's populace has 'grown'. The last two generations in the Asian/South American continents are surely taller than their ancestors.
Perhaps an available, improved diet, available, improved medical care has much to do with this occurrence.
Apparently it is. Interesting, too, that they didn't reference the recent studies reflecting the incredible number of children of married couples who, when DNA testing was employed for various medical reasons, are found to not be the child of the husband.
Never say never, Dog.
That is so right. My first husband was 6'5" and the biggest baby that ever lived. My second and current hubby is 5'4", is a former Marine, and the toughest man I've ever known. He's also perfect and I wouldn't trade him for a dozen taller guys.
I'm 6'7"+ and nothing is out of reach, plus I'm handy to have around when she want's the ceiling painted...
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