In Jamaican society, short men do not get the same love that tall men do, and I am curious to find out why that is.

So let us delve into some possible reasons why the “short kings” get treated like jesters.

When it comes to height and romantic attraction it is not uncommon to hear that a guy has to be “tall, dark and handsome.”

Renowned Turkish surgeon Dr Yuksel Yurttas, who specialises in advanced leg lengthening and the correction of limb deformities, noted in his comprehensive guide that the average height for Jamaican men is 177 cm (5′ 9.7”). In comparison, the average woman is 164 cm (5’4.6″).

With this height difference in mind, one would assume that a taller man than his female counterpart by an average of 5.1 inches should not be much of an issue if any to date men who still tower over you.

And for the most part, it isn’t.

I interviewed a few women asking them their height and the shortest men they would choose to date and they responded with the following:

Gayle, 24, is 5’7.5″ said the shortest she would go is her height. Candice, 23, who is 5′ 8″, said she would not date under her height either, and Danielle, 5’7″ concurred.

“I am 5’7″ and my man is 6 feet,” Shawna, 28 said. “I can’t go any shorter than 6 feet, it’s a turn-off.”

“I am about 5′ 6 or 7, and I don’t want a man shorter than me,” Shadé, 30, said. “Shortest I would go though is my height, but I like them tall, way taller and marga (short).”

“I am 5’4″ and my preference in height for my ideal man is at least 5’9″ and 6′ 4″ max. I’ve never been attracted to short men even if they have nice personalities.” Ruth, 33 said, “I find him more sexually attractive when he’s towering over me and it gives me a sense of safety, protection and even vulnerability.”

I noted that the women interviewed were not on the shorter end of the spectrum, so I empathized with them not wanting to tower over their men (This too, is a problem created by social and cultural grooming). But to my surprise, most women even compromised saying the men could match their heights, they just could not be short.

I did not expect that.

What do women want?

One significant factor contributing to women’s preference for taller partners stems from societal constructs and gender norms. Historically, men have been culturally conditioned to be taller and stronger, while women have been associated with delicacy and femininity, so Ruth’s rationale makes sense here.

These ingrained stereotypes can influence dating preferences, with many women feeling more feminine and protected in the presence of a taller partner.

Evolutionary psychology

Evolutionary psychology offers another perspective on this phenomenon. Some theories suggest that women may instinctively seek taller mates as a way to ensure protection and provision.

In ancient times, height may have been linked to physical strength and the ability to provide for and protect one’s family. While modern society has evolved, remnants of these instincts may still linger in the subconscious minds of individuals.

Media representation & Cultural Ideals

Movie stars Idris Elba, Michael B Jordan and Damson Idris phenotypes have made some women weak in their knees.

The media plays a significant role in shaping cultural ideals and perceptions of attractiveness. From Hollywood films to fashion magazines, images of tall, statuesque men paired with petite, slender women are pervasive. These portrayals can reinforce the idea that height disparities are the norm in romantic relationships, further influencing individual preferences and expectations.

The “Short King” struggle

All explanations reviewed and understood, still leave men who are of a certain height (roughly 5′ 6″ or shorter) are either out here looking for women below their height or their exact height. Some short men run the risk of being ignored or laughed at when they attempt to pursue an average-height female, one of their exact height or one taller.

They simply do not have it easy. Low self-esteem due to multiple failed attempts at finding love and emasculation even when they do find someone because even then, you still have towering men just going about their business in the world.

Kenneth, 38, is 5’7.75″ said that Jamaican folks believe he is short. Kenneth is only 1.95 inches shorter than the average Jamaican.

Meanwhile, Leo 6’1″ reported that he has never had a problem with dating tall or short girls. He has also never had a problem with them thinking he was not tall enough,

“The tallest woman I have ever dated was 5′ 9′, ” he said. “In heels, she was taller than me, for sure, but I neva find it intimidating, because mi a man, and she knew I was her man,” he added, emphasising the word man.

But Leo’s perspective cannot be measured with Kenneth’s because Kenneth has evolution, culture, the media and social norms working against him.

Kenneth could be a way better partner than Leo, but none of it matters (for most women), since tallness is linked with all the things that make women “melt”.

It is important to note that while height may play a role in initial attraction, it is essential to recognize that true compatibility goes beyond physical attributes. Building a strong, healthy relationship requires mutual respect, communication, shared values and so forth. So why are we still being held captive by these romanticised height ideals in 2024?

Having a height preference is a fair response, yes, but ask yourself why that is.

Ultimately, the most fulfilling connections are rooted in emotional connection and compatibility rather than arbitrary physical characteristics— Ultimately, short kings need their queens, too.