We might as well make a sincere observation from the outset: there is no “ideal size”, size has no influence on the state of health of an individual – in this case men, since it is of them. Also, talking about the ideal size remains a purely aesthetic consideration. However, the subject seems to interest the main concerned, since surveys are regularly carried out among women, in order to determine their opinion concerning the size of men.
IDEAL SIZE FOR A MAN, ACCORDING TO POLLS
There is no academic study to determine the ideal size of a man. The golden ratio, divinely illustrated by Leonardo da Vinci in his illustration of the Vitruvian Man, offers only an indication of “ideal” body proportions. However, we now have insights from numerous surveys. Indeed, opinion polls are frequently conducted among the fairer sex, in an attempt to draw their composite portrait of the ideal man.
So, let’s start by citing the 2013 study by AYI.com , a UK dating site. The site managers have indeed analyzed more than 80,000 discussions between their members and have released the following results:
- A man at least 1.83 m 33% more likely to have a date with a woman than a man of 1.70 m, and 77% more than a man of 1.60 Mr.
- “Too big” men intimidate women. “Too tall” means a man over 1.94m tall. The latter will have 23% less chance of seducing a woman.
These results were commented on by psychologists, including Susan Krauss, in the British magazine Psychology today . She explains that conditioning by media representations and the definition of a “strong” (therefore tall) man conveyed for decades largely justifies the responses of women.
We can also cite a study, this time conducted in France by the polling institute TNS Sofres in 2012 , on a national sample of 296 women, aged 18 to 50. It aimed to create a composite portrait of the ideal man for French women. It emerges that at the level of physical criteria, the ideal man is rather tall (height greater than 1.80 m).
A third study corroborates the previous results. In 2014, the YouGov institute (1) questioned 2,034 British adults about the ideal size of a potential partner. The results are as follows:
- Women consider a partner who is 5’3” (1.60 m) or shorter to be too small, while a man who is 6’3” (approximately 1.90 m) is too tall.
- 4% of women consider that there is no man too small to be considered as a potential romantic partner.
- 7% believe that “too big” is not a criterion for choosing a romantic partner.
- The ideal height of a man would be 5’11”, or 1.80 m.
More recent, the study conducted by the Badoo dating app in 2018 , among British users aged 18 to 30, reveals that the ideal height for a man is 5’8” (1.73 m about).
Finally, let’s mention the survey conducted by the American site Height DB (2) , a site dedicated to height in all its forms. For a month, the site submitted to its visitors a simple question: “What is the ideal size for a man?” “. 41,958 votes were counted in total and the voters were as many men as women. Verdict: the ideal height for a man is 6’1” (1.85 m), the answers oscillating between 5’11’ and 6’2”. As for the ideal size difference between men and women, it is on average and according to respondents 5 inches, or 12.7 cm.
IDEAL SIZE AND REALITY
What is the observation then, if we refer to these figures? By cross-checking data from French, British and American surveys, we obtain an ideal size for a man oscillating between 1.80 m and 1.85 m.
But does this ideal size correspond to the average size of men, in France and elsewhere? According to the world statistics listed on the Wikipedia page (3) , the average height of men is:
- 1.78 m for French people aged 18 to 29 (2006 study)
- 1.88 m for Montenegrins aged 16-17 (2017 study), at the top of the ranking
- 1.71 m for the Japanese (adult population), at the bottom of the ranking
According to figures from Medicinenet.com (4) , the average height of British men is 1.77 m, just like that of Americans.
Women therefore tend to be attracted to taller men than the majority of those they meet… But where exactly does the fantasy of tall stature come from, knowing that height has no repercussions on health or the intrinsic qualities of an individual?
IDEAL SIZE, SOCIETY AND COUPLE
The physical size of a man is not just a bodily feature. It is intimately associated with social success. According to a study conducted by the University of Rotterdam in ten European countries (5) , more qualified men are 3 cm taller than less qualified ones. Two reasons justify these results:
- Social homogamy: tall executives tend to marry people from their background and therefore have tall children, who will in turn hold positions of responsibility.
- High stature, in the collective imagination, is associated with competence and authority. Also, with the same diploma, a tall man will be entrusted with more responsibilities and will have a better career than a shorter man (study conducted by Nicolas Herpin for INSEE in 2003 (6) ).
- Moreover, the social norm is that couples are “well matched”. That is to say, it makes it desirable for the man to be taller than the woman, but for this difference not to be excessive. This norm is particularly well integrated and distorts the game of seduction. Even more, it contributes to “gendering” social roles.
So it might be time to get rid of stereotypes about size and the symbolism associated with it.
FINDINGS
According to various surveys, the ideal height for a man would be between 1.80 m and 1.85 m, that is to say slightly higher than the average height in many Western countries, France included. Tall stature is always considered a marker of virility and/or power. On average, women are more satisfied with a partner who is 21 cm taller than them. Men, on the other hand, prefer to exceed their partner by 8 cm.
Anyway, and if you are below this somewhat arbitrary number, it is not a question of making it a complex. Be aware that size is not the only criterion for choosing a life partner or a future employee. The size of an individual does not make his quality, and even less his health.
And if you consider yourself small, you can always bet on style:
- Prefer clothes close to the body, vertical stripes.
- Tuck your t-shirts and shirts into your pants to structure your figure.
- Stand up straight, in all circumstances.
- Avoid outfits in contrasting colors, which will tend to exacerbate the separation between each part of your body.