What is Height Humiliation? Short Shaming & Manlets

Height humiliation in the BDSM community is often experienced by men and administered by women. In almost all societies, the physical characteristic of height is considered to be a favorable one for men: that is to say that the taller a man is, the more desirable he is to a potential partner. In recent years, the attribute of height has grown in its desirability and as such, it can be used as a method of humiliation for men that are of an average or below-average height.

It’s important to note that height across different ethnic groups exists. For instance, a 6-foot tall male in parts of Asia would be considered rare, whereas a 6-foot tall male in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia would be considered fairly typical. Average height around the world varies from around 6 feet in the Netherlands to 5 feet 2 inches in Indonesia. As a rule of thumb, ethic Asians are likely to be shorter than their Caucasian counterparts.

The word ‘manlet’ is sometimes used in various circles to describe short men. As a recent trend in female desire for height as a sexual characteristic has increased, many men also use it as a form of self-deprecation, in many instances for comedic effect. This is often the case in bodybuilding and other physical disciplines, where an individual may be accused of engaging in improving themselves as a form of compensation for their height.

Height humiliation is likely to be experienced by men below 6 feet in height. While it is not required, many men may desire to be shamed for their height by a woman that is taller than them. This can be a natural height advantage, or by using footwear (high heels, stilettos, etc.) and other objects to increase the woman’s height. The humiliation is also likely to be more enjoyable if the physical aspect of disproportion is emphasized. For instance, the man should be sitting/kneeling during the experience if they are naturally taller than the woman.

Humiliation is typically done verbally, with a keen emphasis on the fact that the man is unlikely to be desired because of his height. Short shaming can also be achieved by asking the man to complete an activity that a tall man would be able to do. For instance, retrieving something from the top of a cupboard, or asking them to change a light bulb. Dominatrices may also humiliate men based on their height by promising them sexual experiences if they can perform a specific task. Naturally, the task will be impossible for the man to complete because he is not tall enough. This then leads to abuse being administered and the deprivation of the promised erotic activity.