Why Tall People Are Happier Than Short People

by generaldecay | July 29, 2009 at 12:22 pm

555 views | 34 Recommendations | 10 comments

Squirts probably don't need any more reasons to envy their longer-limbed neighbors. Unfortunately, a new study just added to the indignity of short people. According to a paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research, both men and women who are above average height — 5 ft. 10 in. for males, 5 ft. 4 in. for females — report higher levels of happiness than smaller people.

I'm all about the strange research. I mean, I'm not saying that this research is dubious but it does seem rather, well, puerile.

So, tall people are happier than small people. Well this [relative] shorty begs to differ. I'm a 5ft 4ins bundle of happiness over here. So there!

In the study, men who call their lives the "worst possible" are nearly an inch shorter than the average man. The women most down in the dumps are half an inch smaller, on average, than the average woman. Taller people say they are more content, and are less likely to report a range of negative emotions like sadness and physical pain. "Happiness is just one more thing that taller people have going for them," says Angus Deaton, a Princeton economist and co-author of the study, who stands a smug 6 ft. 4 in.

And why? Well, here's the interesting part. This study attributes taller people's happiness to socioeconomic advantages. That issues a couple of very interesting questions - not least an arguably questionable linking of achievement and height - which are not within the scope of my time to address at the moment. I think I'd like to learn more, though.

Why are tall people happier? According to Deaton's analysis, the result is linked to education and income. The study found that taller people tend to have more education, and thus higher income levels, than shorter people. It follows that the smarter, richer tall people would be sunnier than their vertically challenged compatriots. "Money buys enjoyment and higher life evaluation," says Deaton. "It buys off stress, anger, worry and pain. Income is the thing!"

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Amy Judd

at 14:24 on July 29th, 2009

This is really kind of odd...

generaldecay

at 22:30 on July 29th, 2009

Isn't it just. I find it really ridiculous. Thanks for the recommendation and comment, Amy.

158

at 18:13 on July 29th, 2009

I am exactly average so I guess I am somewhere between the two in being happy.

generaldecay

at 22:31 on July 29th, 2009

And I'm sure that this research really makes you question your happiness, huh? ;)

Thanks for the recommendation and comment, 158.

Blue Crush

at 19:30 on July 29th, 2009

I don't believe this for a minute. We all know that good things come in small packages! (^_~)

generaldecay

at 22:32 on July 29th, 2009

I don't believe it for a minute because it's nonsense in the form of 'science'.

Thanks for the recommendation and comment, Blue.

relyt84 (not verified)

at 20:38 on July 29th, 2009

So what do you think would be the backlash if they wrote this same article about thin women being happier than their heavier counterparts, using the same glib language?

Something like: "(Full disclosure: I, too, am about 110 lbs, but I will refrain from mocking chubbies in this story.)"

I can't believe they publish this stuff in Time...

Robson Chandler (not verified)

at 10:20 on August 10th, 2009

I wouldnt say that tall people are happier than short people, i mean i am 5'10 and my 2 best friends are shorter than me.Kendle is 5'3 and Lawrence is 5'0 but the pair can both hold their own if there is trouble.We have been friends for many years so their height doesnt bother me, only for some reason it bothers others and they have to point it out.We are all 21 now and i enjoy just walking into clubs but the other 2 always have to take i.d with them.I have always remembered them to be shorter than the rest of the class even the girls.Some of the girls used to be pretty nasty to them calling them names i think Lawrence took it harder has he was the shortest guy.I remember teachers shouting at them to stand when they had to answer questions and they were already standing.We had a head of maths teacher and this poor guy was only 5'0 tall, we were in high school and he took loads of hassle from the kids.I think some of the taller kids used to have to put the class books on the shelves in the cupboard well they found it a joke to put them on the highest shelf.So when we came in to class the poor guy tried several ways to get them down.Then he gave up and asked one of us to get them down for him.We had a guy called Lewis and he was even taller than me and found it funny to try to square up to the guy when this teacher told him off the guy didnt stand a chance.I think we are all the same it is nothing to do with height if they are happy.

Mr Michael Mcintyre (not verified)

at 10:32 on August 10th, 2009

I hear what Robson says about tall people being happier i think we are all happy if we want to be.I am 30 years old and finished my training to be a science teacher i find the job quite stressful at times depending on the class i have.I suppose being short isnt really ideal being a teacher when you have children from the ages of 11 to 17.I stopped growing when i was 15 years old and that is when i reached my height that i am now which is 4'10.When i walk down the corridors to change rooms for class i endure all the sarky remarks about being short.I also get pushed and pupils walk intop me it is just a everyday thing that i have to put up with.Of course it can be annoying having to look up to talk to the other teachers.Lucky for me there is the p.e teacher Mr Giles who is only 5'5 tall and he does okay in his lesson.Our head teacher Mr Stewart is also 5'7 but he stands proud when he gives speeches to the school and demands respect from the pupils which he gets.There are also a couple of short woman teaches here.Mrs Jameson who is 5'0 and Mrs Harper who is also 5'0.The shortest in school is me and Mrs Mcsperrin and she stands at 4'9.She is lucky though has she can wear shoes with a heel so that them makes her taller than me.Of course pupils want someone to take potshots at and i am just the one for them to do so.In class i also get called names like half pint and munchkin so it isnt any different to when i was at school.

duhh (not verified)

at 14:41 on August 15th, 2009

Seriously, this is RIDICULOUS people!

Happiness does not come in size!

I am 5 ft 1in. And I could say that I'm the happiest girl alive!

Yes I come from an average height family my mom's 5'6 and my dad's 5'11

all of my siblings came out tall as well but who cares, this is the way God our creator decided to make us

Why do we get such insicurities about our height??

I've felt insecure before as well especially because of my family.

I'm like the weird one here, but yet they love me

very much. I'might not look as elegant as my other 2 sisters, I might not be as beautiful as a model but beauty comes from the inside even if it sounds cheesy it is true, You cannot look beautiful with a long serious boring face all the time!

And yes I'm here because I like to read stuff like this.

But I wouldn't change who I am unless my creator God decides to change me. He can make the impossible possible, I believe that If he was willing to make me taller and more beautiful he would, but if he does not I'm not complaining about it, because he doesn't see my outside, my height, my skin color, he sees my inside and that was he loves me, and if the all powerful loves me why should i not???

I just thank god because I'm healthy..

and if he wants to he'll make me tall

But I'm not complaining cause my life is his, and he can do with me what he wishes to

Everything is possible if we set it in God's hands.

but I say if he wants to give me this material wish I have

I'll gladly and thankfully receive it, if he does not, I'll still love him over all.