What's Considered Attractive? The question of the ideal height for a man often sparks curiosity. However, there's a generation showing less concern for height, focusing more on emotional intelligence instead.
Common Perceptions
"He's tall, definitely plays basketball."
"He's short, must be incredibly agile."
Despite common sayings, the average height for men stands at 177 cm (about 5'10"). This figure falls into the category of "not great, not terrible."
Factors Influencing Height
Genetics: DNA impacts height, growth plates, and hormones. The pituitary gland produces growth hormones, while the thyroid gland releases thyroid hormones, directing growth plates to generate new bones.
Gender: Males are typically taller than females. However, girls experience a growth spurt much earlier than boys, usually around 12.5 years of age.
The Most Attractive Height for Men
An Ipsos survey found that 22% of participants in Great Britain considered 180 cm (about 5'11") to be the perfect height for men. But, is height genuinely significant?
Scrolling through Tinder or any other dating app, it's noticeable that most straight men include their height in their descriptions, but only if they are tall. Some apps like Bumble even allow filtering based on height. Yet, a Bumble Spain study reveals that "height is no longer a requirement for over 30% of singles on Bumble, especially for Gen Z, where one in three singles admitted to being more open to dating someone shorter than them."
Psychological Explanation Behind the Obsession with Height
Aida López, a psychologist and director of Bangardia, suggests that sexual standards and those related to physical and mental attraction are changing in newer generations, who value a mental/emotional connection more than a physical one.
The obsession with height has a psychological explanation: "Tall men give women a sense of protection and security, making them feel more feminine," López explains.
Another factor to consider is that average height varies significantly from country to country. Someone considered tall in their country may be seen as short elsewhere.
Psychologist Andrea Mezquida Ortega also notes a shift in women's mindset: "Increasing importance is placed on emotional intelligence, emotional responsibility, communication skills, and empathy rather than height," she explains according to Oneman.gr.
In summary, height doesn't matter as much as we think.
