Adults Of Short Stature Being Bullied

[James B.]

Cool story, Anna.

Thanks for posting on this thread. It was meant to be a bit more objective, but got triggered writing.

It is funny, and I often had both very tall male friends, and often fairly tall female friends, as well. One person I knew, a guy who was almost 7 feet tall. He suffered. Said, "I just wanted to be normal". Said, it would all be going fine, after meeting a nice woman, then he'd stand up and..she'd look at him kinda terrified. Lol. He was WAY tall. Lol.

so it seems it you are not "Normal" then you get bullied.

So, right, to a degree it seems that way.

 

[James B.]

After 51 years I am slowly beginning to believe that I am a wonderful deserving person but at times the old thoughts come back to me.

I know something of this as well, KP. Thanks so much for sharing. :tup:

 

[Muzikluvr]

I'm interested in your perspective, James, as my children have been in the lower part of the growth chart all their lives. They are both called names "affectionately" by their friends, and their size plays a big role in their socializing... IMO.

WHY do I worry SO much about them being short? Why have I worried about my children's height since BEFORE they were born? Why have I always been afraid they would be short?

And, really... it's not just me who fears it. Isn't it strange that society understands "hoping" that your child isn't short, but doesn't seem to acknowledge the discrimination? I mean, everyone I've ever talked to about it have hoped they grow tall enough... tall enough for what? To deserve to be treated with respect? To protect themselves from bullies? How about... to be considered. Like... not invisible.

 

[Muzikluvr]

Because it's not "offensive" for some reason... it's okay for bullies to tease about being short. Friends tease, and some people are attracted to short people and even treat my kids like they're much younger. My daughter gets straight A's, smarter than all her friends. :p and yet one of her tall friends babies her. Ugh. Of course, what child doesn't want to be babied sometimes? I think she will begin to resent it... maybe not as much as I do. I certainly wanted to tell that 11 yr old girl to get a clue and like my daughter for who she is not because she looks like she's a 3rd grader.

Since my son's friends tease him... it's harder to tell when bullies are intimidating him. What's the difference? It's intrinsic, it's covert, but it's really clear to anyone who cares. And, his friends should be taught not to tease him if they really care about him at all. They don't know better, because our society doesn't see the problem.

<Edit: Feeling bad about saying that she's smarter than all her friends, because I believe there are lots of valid ways of being intelligent which can't be demonstrated by achieving a grade... just irritated that they treat her like a baby>

 

[Sandra]

One thing if a bully is out for someone they find something about that person to put them down over and it might not even on something about their body. It could even be their clothes. So is there anyone "normal"? Absolutely not. And that is the sad part that for one that bullying is happening. And it's also sad that people have to be so judgemental.

 

[James B.]

Muzlkluvr wrote:

Because it's not "offensive" for some reason... it's okay for bullies to tease about being short.

In today's world of employment law, is it unlawful to be singled out for being "over-weight". And by virtue of being singled out alone, we see a distinct kind of discrimination. It is unlawful to comment about, or make fun of, or inquire about health related issues, to those w/ obvious handicaps. Including the above.

It is unlawful in schools or employment venues to discriminate against women, lesbian gay or transgendered people. It is unlawful for people to call out (or otherwise discriminate against) gender, or individuals of non-caucasian ethnicity. Etc.

But when it comes to short? There is no legal protection in place to assist with the (seemingly inherent) and socially acceptable discrimination of small statured people, kids and adults.

Ha, how many times have I brought it to people attention, with the proper tone, and insight? Oh, you will be punished for this...tall people are not to be made to look stupid, by adults who are the size of children.

 

[James B.]

And it's also sad that people have to be so judgemental.

Not sure this stuff strikes me as being genuinely judgmental. I feel these (bully type) actions to be the product of those who need to distract themselves, and make themselves feel better. By highly insecure individuals of a (given) population, IMHO.

 

[Sandra]

When I was still working I had this nasty mouthed lady say to me one day. "Gee you're awful fat why don't you go on a diet". I reported her comment to the HR dept. And they swept it under the carpet and never even talked to her about the nasty comment she made. But then the HR dept. was nothing but a big joke anyhow.

 

[Anna]

Has anyone heard of psychosocial dwarfism?? Abuse can cause people not to reach their full height. I hate the label, the name is downright nasty. It basically means you don't grow as tall as you should have done due to abuse or neglect.

I am shorter than both of my parents. Here are some links to it:-

Adjustment Disorders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychosocial_short_stature

Dead Link Removed