July 8, 2018
I keep reading books in which the heroine describes herself
as short. What irritates me is that they mention it like it’s a character flaw
or a disfigurement—or a handicap to landing the job or the hunk of their
dreams.
And some of these self-described “short” women are 5 feet, 4
inches tall!
I’m 5 feet 3, and I’ve never felt short, unless I was
trying to reach a tall shelf. But to hear these women describe themselves, they
got short-changed in the physical attractiveness sweepstakes, and in their ability
to succeed. It irritates me every time.
Then it hit me: The characters are comparing themselves
supermodels. They don’t feel like they’re going to hit the big-time unless they’re
5’7” or taller. It makes me wonder about the authors, frankly.
Great news, Ladies—and Heads Up, Authors: In the 1960’s, the
average height for a U.S. woman was 5’3” (average weight, 140, just as an FYI).
Today it’s 5’4”.
So quit whining, Book Characters: You’re fine.
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