Why do short men have short man syndrome?

Answer 1

There have been studies (can't cite them from memory, sorry) that tall men (e.g. 6 foot plus) are more successful in business than shorter men on average. The explanation for this is that tall men are more likely to have been succesful sportsmen when growing up and so are used to being more aggressive and confrontational - traits which do come in useful. Conversely, male academics tend to be shorter than average for the same reason.
The explanation for short man syndrome, or napoleon syndrome as it is also known, is that some short men feel that they have to react to this perceived inadequacy when they reach adult life in order to compensate.

Answer 2

I do not mean to be dismissive but asking that question is about akin to asking why a laughing kookaburra is called a laughing kookaburra. Short men are simply that, short men. Then are not necessarily short on looks,sex appeal, intelligence or anything else but height. However, they are in an unfortunate position, inasmuch as tall people look down at them, literally! That can be very uncomfortable physically, particularly if the shorter person is the one who is in the right. It is a little like assuming that all people in wheelchairs are sub intelligent. In situations like this, the other, the shorter often becomes aggressive/defensive at the assumption. By the way, people who pick on others for their physical appearance, usually lack something themselves. But just remember that it would not be a syndrome unless others made the less tall person feel inferior.

Answer 3

Probably because tall men seem to think they are running things. They are paid, promoted, and preferred by women more often, on average. These are the true numbers, but why do the tall seem to be one sided in this regard?


PS Please spare us the psychobabble, we do not feel inadequate and insecure, we feel the anger of the injustice of human evolved nature. That is why justice is so important in it's blindness. That is why we work for it tirelessly. It is real, as some psychological construct will never be. If we are to mitigate our true human nature, it will have to be through our institutions, Not some " cloud cuckoo land ", posited by social science.

Answer 4

Because this is a culture that values tall men and rewards them financially. Americans tend to be tall and most of our heroes/role models have been tall men: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Donald Trump, sports stars, politicians etc. It's the same reason why we won't elect a short president. Jimmy Carter was the shortest at 5'9. Therefore, short men feel inadequate and insecure because of this societal preference for tall men.

Answer 5

Because their ego's are to big /tall for them,short men are full of themselves, & insecure, the majority of short people are all over & in the media, Short men are pointless. this is my tall man syndrome.

Answer 6

Because they are short men

Answer 7

Because they put up a front although they are really insecure about themselves inside and are frightened that their lack of height makes them vulnerable to bullys.

Answer 8

because they are men who feel that being short is an inadequacy = not because they are short men.

Answer 9

Because they feel they have to make up for their height and have something to prove, except for my boyfriend who is 5ft 5 and a big softie.

Answer 10

Because the average chair and table sizes are too big, and fences too high to peer over. And people smell different to them in elevators.