A team of researchers from the University of St Andrews in the UK has discovered that strict requirements regarding a potential partner’s height are linked to sexist attitudes. The findings of the study were published in the journal Human Nature.
Psychologists conducted an online survey involving 242 young Britons—122 women and 120 men, primarily aged 18 to 29. Participants reported their own height, the height they desired in a partner, as well as the minimum and maximum heights they would find acceptable. All respondents also completed three psychological tests.
On average, women required their partner to be 16 cm taller than themselves, which was nearly 4 cm above the average height of the men in the sample. The importance of height was emphasized by 43% of women and 26% of men. Men showed more flexibility, with some even accepting a partner who was taller than themselves.
The key discovery of the project was that the ideal height difference had only a weak connection to psychological attitudes, but the importance placed on height showed a strong correlation. It turned out that women who considered a partner’s height essential were more likely to hold sexist beliefs. A similar pattern emerged among men: those who deemed their partner’s height important also tended to value traditional masculinity and held negative views towards tall women.
When explaining their choices, women wrote that a taller partner gave them a sense of security and femininity. Men stated that being taller created a feeling of dominance in the relationship. Some participants acknowledged the influence of social stereotypes.
The authors emphasize that the participants expressed their stated preferences. In reality, however, people often deviate from their demands when they meet someone they are interested in or fall in love with.
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