Tall Pastors
Recently, I attended a regional denomination meeting and noticed that over 90 percent of the pastors were six foot or more. According to Short Persons Support, only 11.7 percent of American men are six foot or taller. Not only do local churches not hire many women, they apparently don’t hire many short men either — or average size (5 foot 8 1/2 inches) for that matter — at least in my neck of the woods.
I wonder what percent of the discrimination women experience is actually due to heightism. On average, according to SPS, women are six inches shorter than men. Shortness is a discrimination that’s still in the closet, but according to this Web site, it’s time to come out. There’s considerable research mentioned on SPS, but nothing on heightism vs sexism. Pregnant area for future research?
Research shows that there are both pros and cons to being short. First, the drawbacks:
- fewer opportunities for romantic relationships;
- statistically have fewer children;
- on average are paid less due to employer discrimination;
- short women report that they are not taken as seriously as their taller peers;
- are often protrayed in the media as being inferior.
And now the benefits:
- less bumping of the head on low overhead objects;
- Faster reaction times;
- Greater ability to accelerate body movements;
- Stronger muscles in proportion to body weight;
- Greater endurance;
- Ability to rotate the body faster;
- Less likely to break bones in falling;
- Increased longevity;
- Reduced risk for cardiovascular disease (some counter studies);
- Reduced negative impact on the environment, water needs, and resource consumption.
This would be hilarious, if I didn’t think you were serious.
Welcome Anonymous:
I wish you had been a little more specific as I’m not sure exactly what tickled your funnybone. I realize, of course, that the Dutch (and RCA pastors) come from northern European stock that tend to be taller, perhaps, than most other groups. Secondly, there’s no comparison between the strengths of the “tall” and the strengths of the “short,” and I did not intend to imply that there was. Still, it is interesting to note that there are some advantages to being short even though most people would prefer to be tall.
If, however, you thought that the short population shouldn’t have their own support groups for the ill treatment and the dismissive attitudes they experience day in and day out, then I’d have to say that you’re not being very sensitive to this area of discrimination. Is any kind of discrimination funny?
Perhaps you could clarify your comments.
I’m short, and I think it’s funny. Especially since, by the stats you quote, most people are short (or at least under 6 ft). Therefore, we’re prejudiced against ourselves. How silly is that? And, do short employers discriminate against tall employees out of jealousy? My tall sister was no less giggled at (during my wedding) than her short date was … men especially don’t seem to like tall women. As a short woman I never had a guy reject me because of my height. My sister’s had that happen to her a lot.
You’re right that men prefer women shorter than themselves and women prefer men taller than themselves. Sometimes the prejudices that we hold can have unfortunate consequences against ourselves. Think of the good friends we could have had except for the fact we didn’t even notice them. Think of the perfect mate we missed because we didn’t follow up on an expression of interest just because of a couple of inches difference (the wrong way) of height. I’m as guilty of these as the next guy.
The Web site I listed in my posting said the average male height (I’m assuming in the USA) is 8.5 feet and that women on average are six inches shorter. So when I find an organization that has all men in it, all much taller than average, I have to assume that major prejudice is going on.
I just hope you never have the experience of not being hired or of being dismissed by attitude in the workplace because you were too short. It stings.
My guess is that your sister doesn’t think it’s as funny as you think it is. Am I right?
Excellent blog in general. I’m sad we seem to need more and more efforts to recognize equality. I’m not sure heightism vs. sexism needs any research. I think concentrating on one issue as you do helps us become more aware of other divisions or injustices in general.
But I’m a 6′7″ minister - serving a denominational office of PC(USA)- who is only now developing the confidence (through spiritual growth) common among many tall leaders.
Thank you for your post, pastor. I’d be very interested in hearing more of your story — whether you feel you’ve been discriminated against because of your height. I used to have a peer who was also 6′7″ and I know he had trouble finding a car that would fit him.
One thing that I got out of the CBE conference I just attended was that those of us who particularly care about gender equality will most likely find great similarities between our concerns and other types of discriminations. See the comments of blog team members about slavery. I doubt that it would be very hard to find similarities in the originating places from which these discriminations arise.