Some of you reading this may roll your eyes upon first glance at the title, but there are legitimate struggles that ladies who are taller than average have to deal with on a daily basis.
The average height of women in America is 5’4″. The way society labels people and sets ridiculously high expectations is heartbreaking. It saddens me to see so many people let these labels and expectations get to them. Although being 5’9″ and well above the average height for women, I have to admit that I’ve fallen into this trap before too.
Growing up, I was taller than the majority of my fellow classmates (even the boys). I never really cared or paid attention until I was old enough to understand that society judges people. In elementary school, there were only two boys in my fifth-grade class who were taller than me. The students who were shorter than me found it funny to ask “how the weather was up there” just because I was “the tall girl.” They never asked the two tall boys that question.
Periodically through high school, staff members I wasn’t very close with would gawk and say, “Wow, you’re tall,” as if I wasn’t already aware of my own height. Most adults would ask whether I played basketball or not, and when I’d say no, I would be told that I should definitely consider it. Eventually, I decided to play because that’s what I thought tall girls did. I was never the strongest or fastest player, but I was taller than the majority of the other girls which meant I was closer to the height of the basketball net.
I was never really insulted or made fun of for being tall, but I couldn’t relate to most things my friends would talk about, such as which heels would match their dresses the best for school dances. I’d always opt out for flats so I wouldn’t be taller than my date.
After graduating from high school, I realized that it doesn’t matter how tall I am. Now, as a college freshman who has met plenty of guys and girls who are the same height or even taller than me, I’ve become proud of my height. I can’t do anything to change it, so why worry about it?
If you’re feeling down on yourself because you think you’re “too tall,” try to take pride in your height, because there are other girls out there struggling with the same thoughts—you’re not alone.
Just because you don’t meet society’s definition of the perfect woman doesn’t mean you can’t be the perfect version of yourself. Sometimes you have to take a step back and remember to stop putting so much pressure on yourself to fit into that unrealistic mold. Be you and be proud of it!