Napoleonic Complex? Not anymore
Height is something that secretly torments many people; it’s a kind of “small evil” that sometimes takes over and makes people feel the absence of a few centimeters that wouldn’t hurt. But growing taller is not that easy because it doesn’t depend on us; it’s a matter programmed in our genes, and against them, there’s no argument.
Height or size is considered the "human height" measured from the feet to the head in centimeters, feet, or inches depending on the country. For this, the person must be standing and barefoot. In addition to genetics, other variables that affect growth include nutrition, environmental factors, and even emotional state. Developed countries are the ones with the tallest average heights, with the Netherlands having the tallest men (182.5 cm) and Latvia having the tallest women on average (169.8 cm).
Having a height below average is not bad in any sense nor represents a disadvantage in the real world, except in modeling due to very specific and unrealistic standards of this industry. But in general, this height topic influences people more than one might think and has more power than necessary.
Napoleon and a popular myth
The Napoleon Complex refers to an inferiority complex (it does not appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM) of certain people who have short stature. It describes individuals who act due to a perceived disadvantage, overcompensating in other areas of their life. The name comes from Napoleon Bonaparte, whose alleged short stature was considered a factor in the wars and conquests he led. However, it is now known that his height of nearly 169 cm (168.5) was actually the average height for men in old France, making this theory a myth that popular culture still holds.
Nevertheless, there are people who suffer from the limited height they have, and sometimes this “inferiority complex” can affect their self-esteem. Men, in particular, are more affected by a lack of height since, from a sociocultural point of view, short stature can be a problem regardless of the cause. Many societies associate height with advantages and low height with disadvantages.
The problem lies in the past
British professor Lance Workman, a psychology professor at the University of South Wales, believes that short men may feel discriminated against due to "sexual selection."
"In ancient times, women preferred taller men, perhaps because they were better providers or hunters." This perception, he says, is hard to change, even though we no longer need anyone to go hunting to bring food home. "Height is associated with high status, which works against short people."
Men, height, and money
Tim Frayling, a professor of Human Genetics at the University of Exeter in the UK, conducted research to find out why height has traditionally been linked to poverty.
Frayling and his team carried out the largest study ever conducted on the relationship between genetics and height. The result showed that, throughout their lives, taller men earn much more than shorter men in the same profession, regardless of education or "skills."
"Our data shows that a man who is, for example, 170 cm will earn $655 less per year than one who is 177 cm," he said.
Women also see the problem
The sexual selection mentioned earlier does not apply to women, but short stature can still influence jobs, as mentioned before. Modeling is an example, where women, regardless of their overall beauty, are required to meet a minimum height to enter the industry, prioritizing height over other aspects of their appearance.
Heel insoles and height increase
It’s no longer a secret; today there are methods to add a few extra centimeters without resorting to hormonal treatments. Of course, it’s a "superficial" height, but generally, height complexes or "height cravings" are more of a social issue than a personal one. In our private lives, we can live with the height we have, but the real problem lies in the height we "present" to society. For this, we can use heel insoles to add a few centimeters.
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