“Eight percent is the average height disparity between between men and women, and also, it turns out, the downward angles at which most models are photographed.” Quoted from the article linked above.
I realize that being tall is ideal for men–at least society seems to prefer the tall guys. But being tall for a woman is a whole other thing. I’ve had some folks act hostile just because I was taller. As if I’d grown taller than them just to vex them.
For some reason, I think it’s more,uh, enlightened to think of the ideal as something like “92% of her partner’s height” rather than “8% shorter than her partner.” The latter just sounds… diminishing, y’know?
Marta Pelrine-Bacon 
You’re so cute, Marta.
I have never felt cute, but it is nice to hear anyway.
How come I don’t know what the 8% rule is? And why can’t I be tall, dangit?!
“Eight percent is the average height disparity between between men and women, and also, it turns out, the downward angles at which most models are photographed.” Quoted from the article linked above.
I realize that being tall is ideal for men–at least society seems to prefer the tall guys. But being tall for a woman is a whole other thing. I’ve had some folks act hostile just because I was taller. As if I’d grown taller than them just to vex them.
For some reason, I think it’s more,uh, enlightened to think of the ideal as something like “92% of her partner’s height” rather than “8% shorter than her partner.” The latter just sounds… diminishing, y’know?
Well, I do know. It is diminishing. Unfortunately I wasted a lot of time as a young woman wishing I were diminished.
Powers has a new one, Generosity, coming early September
What Sherri said. 🙂