Do you think this is true about short v tall men?

Most dictators and despots are under 5'8", so opportunities exist for those of us at the shorter end of the continuum...
Indeed, that's probably why they become dictators and despots - they do all the shouty stuff, waving their guns on parades and have everyone in a state of terror just because they have small feet...If we constantly reassured short men that their willies really are as big as the other boy's, they wouldn't become dictators

My Dad and brother are both over 6ft and people who don't know them well always describe them as "alpha", ambitious and "obviously successful". They are both lovely people, but in no way meet these descriptions! It's v v werid to me.

Boris is absolutely not 5'7", Zelenskyy is 5'7" and Boris towers over him.

My DH is 6'5 and is quite insecure in general, and about his height particularly.

Sure, rresearch demonstrates that, on average, being tall is an advantage. 'That doesn't mean that every tall person is confident and successful. Nor does it mean every short person will struggle in life.

On a macro scale - life is easier for the genetically advantaged - being tall / good looking / clever are undeniably factors in the statistical likelihood of a persons success. But as all the anecdata from PPs here demonstrates / there are no hard and fast rules - wider trends don’t usefully apply to individuals and there are plenty of very successful people of all sorts of heights.

definitely not something to lose sleep over.

The OP states that research shows preference of women for a tall man. This research cannot be extrapolated to include gay men preferences. That's all.

This is really not something you should be 'upset' about. There might be some small statistical evidence that taller men are moderately more likely to succeed in life but it's not in the slightest bit significant, so relax.

FWIW there are five male directors (including the CEO) where I work and I don't think any of them are taller than about 5'10".

None of the men in my family are tall and they've all done just fine in life.

Most of the men in STEM leadership positions around the world are Indians / Asians under 5 ft 8. Your DH needs to stop making excuses. Your son can be successful no matter what his height is if he’s clever and confident.

Gays care about height too

It sounds like he’s just a short(er) man himself making excuses for his own perceived mediocrity.
FWIW my brother in law is 6’4 and one of the most insecure men I know. On the other hand, my other sister’s boyfriend is only about 5’6 and the life and soul of every party he goes to, in a genuine way, not a ‘please love me’ way!
You can blame anything/something on height all you like but it’s silly imo to say it’s solely down to height and height alone, as with all number of other characteristics.

No I mean most of the successful men I know are tall but the most successful financially is the shortest but works the hardest

Lots of replies believe this isn't an issue for men.

From living the experience I can say it absolutely is an issue. In the same way that male and female stereotype and judge others on different physical appearances, life is tougher for the shorter man.

Of course we all know famous exceptions but they are exactly that.

However, I'm not one for bitterness and life is what you make it. I have a family, a career and I am healthy and happy.

Many people have far greater challenges in their lives.

I will caveat all of this and say that my early teen son has already made it to the giddy heights of 5'8" and I admit to feeling slightly ecstatic for him 🙂

I've seen the research on this, but as others have said, height is just one advantage in life. Being good looking is another. Being intelligent and well-educated is another. As is coming from a loving, supportive family. Being a decent human being. Having a good sense of humour. Being hard-working, ambitious and/or well-connected - all serious advantages in life.

If you're tall, stupid, lazy and ugly I doubt your height will help you much!

There's all sorts of bullshit online about what girls like from incels.
Tall men complain they're not hot enough and that's why they're being rejected.
Rich men complain they're not tall enough.
Etc etc.

Also what does 'mean to him and his small mates' mean...? Is he trying to ask them out and getting rejected?

I don't admire him either, but to be fair, I only know his public personality and have never met him. I was merely pointing out that it is possible for the vertically challenged man to do relatively well in life.

I know many who I could point to who are better examples, but they are not in the public eye, so nobody would know them.

I think it's probably true but at the same time these are generalisations and life experience will be different for each individual. I do know quite a few short men who are doing well, happily married, successful etc. Cillian Murphy is short and very successful and lusted after! As is Tom Cruise. But even in the real world plenty of short men are living great lives.
I have a friend who's short. He's gorgeous, charismatic, always been popular with women. Married, runs his own business. Don't worry OP.

More nuance needed OP.
Of course, our animal brains perceive 'height' as being better, but these studies don't control for other factors.
At a population level, while height is genetic it's also influence by nutrition. Different ethnic groups have different averages.

All those short men who are less successful... Is it solely because of their height? Or due to their ethnicity and poorer background?

Anyway in life everyone has a mix of privileges. I'd say being short is one the least damaging 'disadvantages' compared to having a disability, low intelligence, trauma etc etc.

It's just like saying ugly women have less opportunities.

My older son is much smaller than the younger one at the same age. He really worries about it but he's such a gorgeous boy inside and out. Makes my heart melt. I try to reassure him the best I can. Lots of men I've known who are smaller have been great people and I've known some very tall nasty men.

I worry about this too as their Dad has said it used to happen all the time to him

I think it's probably similar to 'pretty privilege' for women. Yes, it helps a bit (on first impressions). Is it any more of a disadvantage than, say, being a woman, in lots of workplaces? Probably not. Very few people 'tick all the boxes' when it comes to privilege. Your son will be fine.

Women find them more attractive and so they will have more opportunities.