heightism
nounEtymology From height + -ism.
1
Informal A prejudiced attitude about human height that often results in discrimination, based on the belief that unusually short or tall people are inferior and undesirable.
- It is obvious that the dimensions of inequality could be extended to include a great many differences such as heightism where people who are taller are superior to people who are shorter, and so forth.1976, Robert Marsh Kloss, Ron E. Roberts, Dean S. Dorn, Sociology with a Human Face: Sociology as If People Mattered:
- There might be reinforcement of already harmful social evils such as heightism and racism.2001, James C. Peterson, Genetic Turning Points: The Ethics of Human Genetic Intervention:
1 more example
- Given this background, how can dwarfs, beset by beautyism, heightism, and a succession of slights, move toward positive body images and self-esteem?2005, Betty M. Adelson, The Lives of Dwarfs: Their Journey from Public Curiosity Toward Social Liberation:
- Related terms
- short man syndrome