Sometimes, society gets too hung up on looks. We should be more focused on character. One short male college student is both focusing on the wrong things and blaming everyone but himself.
This young man explains he is short because his parents did not want him to get hormone-stabilizing shots when he was younger. He is 20 years old and 5'3". He believes he does not have a girlfriend because of his height and wanted Reddit's popular ATIA forum to weigh in after he got into an argument with his parents about it.
Here's how the family measures up.
After explaining his own stats, the OP goes on to say: “my family is average to tall: my dad is 5’10, my mom is 5’6, my brothers are 5’11 and 6’1.” He then explains why he believes he is short and why his parents are to blame.
Hormones can be tricky.
“When I was 11 or 12, my doctor told my family that my pituitary gland was malfunctioning/acting unpredictably, so in the coming years it would either stop producing growth hormone altogether really quickly and leave me short, or it would overproduce and I’d be tall (6’3+),” he continued. “It was impossible to predict which one would happen, and they suggested hormone stabilizing shots that would ensure normal growth.”
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Who's to blame?
Money was not a problem in this case. “My parents have been and are still wealthy and had no issue paying for these, but they said I had a chance to become very tall without these shots so I should take it,” he explains. “I said I’d rather have the shots because I’d rather just guarantee I’m ‘average’ than have a 50% shot of being incredibly short, but they didn’t listen. As a result, I stopped growing very early and I’m only 5’3.”
It's not nice to tease someone.
The college student is sensitive about his height and his family does not appear to take this into account. “My parents and siblings always make jokes about it and how I don’t have a girlfriend, which makes me angry because it was quite literally their choice that led me to the situation in which I don’t have a girlfriend and am short,” he stated. “This past weekend, they visited me at college, and started making the same jokes, so I got angry and shouted at them that they can joke all they want but the reality is I’m in the situation I’m in because of the choice they made.”
Never make your mom cry.
His mom got emotional over her son’s reaction. This caused his dad to get angry. The college student now wants the forum to weigh in and tell him if he is in the wrong here.
Everyone is kind of wrong here.
The forum believes that everyone is in the wrong in this situation. It is not black and white. The college student needs to get over his insecurities. The family needs to stop teasing him.
“Your family sucks for making fun of your height,” wrote one user. “OP sucks for using their height as an excuse for why they can’t date and blaming their parents for their poor dating life. You’re an adult now, OP – time to stop blaming mom and dad when things don’t go your way. Being bitter and chalking failed dates up to 'it’s my parent’s fault' is not helping anything.”
Short men can still date.
“Your attitude about your height is what is putting women off,” advised one user. “My ex was also 5'3 and he has never had any issues getting women – including some really attractive women – to go out with him. His confidence, sense of humor are what draws people to him. You are NTA for being upset with them because that's a decision that absolutely should have not been made, especially against your will, but I strongly suggest you stop blaming them for you not getting a girlfriend.”
It's time for him to let it go and move forward.
Perhaps this young man can use this as a lesson to let go of the past and focus on the future. One user even suggested he reach out to his current doctor, as men keep growing until they are 25 years old.
Beyond the physical, maybe this 20-year-old can work on his confidence and sense of self, which will surely attract the right person.
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