Everyone wants to be tall. Ok, maybe not everyone, but you can’t say you never
thought it would be nice to have a couple more inches. There are many advantages to
being tall. You can reach high things easier, when running or participating in other
sports you don’t have to take as many steps. But studies have shown that there are
more advantages than that. For years economists have known that being tall means
you get paid more. Not only that, but tall people are more likely to fall into positions of
leadership. As of 2004, out of the last 13 elections, 10 of the winners were the taller of
the two candidates. Out of the 43 Presidents, only 5 had been more than just a tad
below the average height. Why is that? There are many possible reasons as to why
Being tall shows that evolution favors you, historically taller people are able to
reach more resources, and therefore are subconsciously more attractive and appealing.
Is it that then? Do they just tend to be hired over an equally qualified, shorter individual?
A 2004 study by Nicola Persico, Andrew Postlewaite and Dan Silverman shows that
adults who are shorter now, but were tall in high school, earn similarly to generally tall
adults. In addition to that, adults who are tall now, but were short in high school earn
similarly to shorter adults. So there is no subconscious attraction there, at least on the
physical appearance side. So what else could it be then, are taller people better
nourished and educated? Therefore making them more appealing to employers on a
strictly qualification standard? Nicola Persico, Andrew Postlewaite and Dan Silverman
have eliminated these hypotheses. All that is left now is self esteem.
There is a certain vibe to being tall, especially, as studies show, in your
adolescent years, around 16 to be specific. Taller kids tend to exude higher levels of
self confidence. A British National Child Development Survey shows that for every
extra inch of height corresponds with a 2.2% increase in wages. An American survey
(National Longitudinal Survey of Youth) shows that kids who were relatively short
during those adolescent years were less likely to participate in extracurricular activities.
These extracurricular activities are associated with the development of productive
skills and attributes. This all suggests that being taller leads to more self confidence
and higher levels of participation in extracurricular activities. In addition to that,
Persico, Postlewaite and Silverman, report that “participation in high school athletics is
associated with an 11.7% increase in adult wages. Participation in every additional club
other than athletics is associated with a 5.1% increase in wages.”
In short, it pays to be tall; but not because of sheer physic, but because of the
boost in self confidence, and development of essential interpersonal skills. Being tall
isn’t what is going to get you that extra 2.2 percent. Being confident in yourself, and
engaging in extracurriculars, is going to give you that edge over your competition.
Landsburg, Steven. "It pays to be tall.." Politics, Business, Technology, and the Arts. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2013. <http://www.slate.com/
Persico, Nicola, Andrew Postlewaite, and Dan Silverman. "The Effect Of Adolescent Experience On Labor Market Outcomes: The Case Of Height." Journal of Political Economy 112.5 (2004): 1019-1053. Print.
Wow I had never thought of this before. So If the part about self confidence is true then it really doesn't matter how tall you are it really just matters how much you believe in yourself. So this is probably something that people should see and be able to enrich our communities with because if you really do get 2.2% in your wage then it could potentially help a lot of people out.
ReplyDeleteOk so you are saying that basically the taller you are the more money on average you make. That is because companies like leaders that can be seen easier. It is easier for someone that is 6 foot 3 inch to talk over everyone and get people attention. Now with internet and media companies are forced to have more political CEO than the best person for the job. I mean I understand why people that are taller make more money. I feel sorry for the short people tho
ReplyDeleteThis is a pretty interesting article as it takes something that you normally wouldn't consider being a big factor in getting a job and actually gives you a glimpse as to what you can earn in your future based on your height. Like I said, I find this topic interesting but I really can’t see it as something that would affect salaries so much. I mean for every inch, there’s a 2.2% increase in wages. That is a sweet deal, especially if you are around or over six feet, but for the average or shorter than average person, it isn’t that fair. I thought the majority of your salary and wages come from the experience, education and knowledge that you have, but bringing in “participation in high school athletics is associated with an 11.7% increase in adult wages” is something I would have never figured out. I don’t know, maybe it depends on what job you ultimately get in the future. I do know however, that the more activities, clubs, athletics and services that you participate can have a big impact on how much you make.
ReplyDeleteThis thought never really occurred to me. I think that taller people could have more advantage over shorter people, but I am not sure how many businesses actually think like this. Most businesses don't necessarily need taller people depending on the job but some would be more helpful. I see why the tests show that taller people are more self confident and shorter are self-conscious. Being a shorter person, people would like to just grow a few more inches to make it 5'3/5'4.
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