✍ KIRAN GOSWAMI
Heightism
means the discrimination of an individual on the basis of height. A person’s
height whether it is less or more than the average height is considered
anomalous by the society. Height is a
trait of judgment for someone’s personality (the other parameters being colour,
weight and gender).
There have
been several underlying stereotypes regarding height that everyone of us wants
a desired height and gets depressive if it doesn’t happen.
Struggle
for desired height :
The average
height of an Indian man is about 5 feet 4 inches while that of woman is 5 feet.
If someone suffers from major distortions in these height measures, then they
are treated differently. If someone is extra tall, then he has to undergo
discrimination and struggle.
But the
struggle of a shorter person is a constant battle. The various advertisements
of “attain long height” supplements are perfect examples for understanding the
pressure to have desired, socially – acceptable height.
People also
strive for normal height because of the several prejudices and discriminations
they have to suffer from due to unusual height. Heightism or height
discrimination is a highly neglected term and nobody accepts to be the supporter
of height stereotypes but unknowingly we all are a part of it. Let’s take an
example –
Imagine
someone who have always inspired you .Someone whom you have always adored and
followed. You not only like their talent or working style or looks but you are
all over the way they talk, they walk, their confidence, their gesture, their
posture, their behavior, their thoughts and their ideas. All in all you are
totally up for that person’s personality. You cherish everything about that
person. They are your role model and you, often, wish if you were just like
them.
Now, there
is a kink in the story. Imagine that person is half of their original height
now. Go on, think, have the pictorial imagination. Why, what happened? The
dream of becoming like them puffed into the thin air. Didn’t it?
This is
where height discrimination slips in. We ignore the problems a person of
unusual stature has to face but the struggle is real.
The Race
of Desired Height:
There are
certain reasons which cause people to constantly strive for getting certain
height –
1.
Job
Requirements – Height requirements
,though, have become rare
nowadays for work ; but still it shows in the workplace attitude. People are
often prejudiced on the basis of their height stature. Short people are also
not trusted with higher responsibilities and granted low pay.
2.
Confidence
– People who don’t have the so called
ideal height are judged on their level of confidence too. While short people
are thought to be under-confident and gullible, people with over tall stature
are considered as dominating.
3.
Attractiveness
– All of us wants to be perfect and also wants someone who is perfect for us
and unusual height is a major flaw obviously (according to the society). Rather
than looking for the talent and personality of someone, we choose to judge the,
on their physical structure. People with unusual height have fear of losing in
the matters of dating and marriage.
In India, height is also a parameter for pairing up a couple in arranged
marriages.
4.
Ignorance
– Ignorance of talent is an issue which
most of the people are afraid of. Unusual height makes a person unusual and
most of the times their talent is ignored due to discrimination.
5.
Mocking
– “When you can’t accept it, you mock it.” That’s what society does. Calling
names and bullying is a part of one’s life who is born different.
These issues and everyday struggle give rise to the need to attain
desired height.
Coping up
with embarrassment :
Several
patients with height disorder complain about the embarrassment of having unusual
height. The thing is when you can’t fix a problem, you can try to ease out the
problem rather them solving it. You can try to cope up with the humiliation by
adopting these steps–
1.
Shame the Shame – There is nothing to feel ashamed for your height. Accept yourself and be
proud of who you are.
2.
Stay Motivated – Don’t think of yourself any less. Remind yourself of your virtues and
talent. Don’t let anyone make you feel insecure.
3.
SWOT analysis – This is a method of knowing oneself in a better way and of figuring out
problems. In this analysis, we list out our Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats on a page .This gives us a proper
interpretation of ourselves .Thus now one can focus on the strengths and try to
overcome with weaknesses.
4.
Stay courageous – “Be Brave. Even if you aren’t one, pretend to be.” If you stay fearful,
you will be threatened more.
5.
Be confident– Confidence
makes your personality. Have confidence in yourself and your talent. With
confidence, you can overcome every weakness.
Though
height is a concern of health and people with unusual height should consult a
doctor, but society also needs to bring out a change. Discriminating and
judging someone on the basis of their height shows that we need to change our
mental stature rather someone’s physical.
Written By :
Kiran
Goswami
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