Lots of times when I hear Tall=Protection, it's usually when some women say they prefer dating tall men because tall men make them feel protected. But for me, that idea has affected me in other areas of my life.

I'm currently in high school and I'm 5'5, I live with my mom, dad, and sister. My dad is 6'5 and my mom is 5'0.
Throughout middle school and high school, bullies would target short kids for their height including me. They assumed I was cowardly and won't be able to protect myself or protect my other short friends. They never picked on us short kids around our tall friends because they think our tall friends would protect us. They assume we won't defend ourselves and whenever I stood up for myself or my other short friends the bullies would be so surprised but then say something along the lines of "What are you gonna do? You ain't ganna do sh*t along" and then specifically insult my size.

But this idea that Tall=Protection hurts me more when it comes from my own family.

When it comes to my sister, she told me she doesn't feel safe around me because she doesn't think I would be able to protect her and she said wishes she had a taller brother. My sister even told me that she was jealous of her friends who had tall brothers.

My Mom and Dad have said to me they don't think I would be able to protect my sister just because I'm short. One time for Halloween my sister wanted to go tick-o-treating around the neighborhood with her friends, and my parents wanted at least one guy to go with them just to be safe, and when I said I'll go my parents told me that it would be better if my cousin (he's 6ft and my age) goes with them instead because he's bigger and stronger and can keep them safer. And my parents call my cousin stronger even though we are roughly the same strength-based on us wrestling, arm wrestling, working out together, and there are times when I'm stronger than him. When I tried to confront my parents my mom told me that she doesn't think I would be able to protect my sister because of my size.

Another time my mom had to go to the city and my dad didn't want my mom to go alone because it was getting dark but my dad wasn't able to accompany my mom because he had to go somewhere also, so when I offered to go with my mom, my dad sent my 6ft cousin to accompany my mom instead of me because he said my mom would be safer with my cousin.

Also one time my parents said if I ever get married or have kids in the future, I'm going to have a hard time protecting them being my size, and that it would have been easier if I was as tall as my dad.

This honestly breaks my heart. I'm assumed to be weak and to not be able to protect the things I care about by society, by women, but when it comes from my sister and my parents, this is what hurts me the most. And my mother is 5'0, so she's short also, so I would think out of all people she would understand me the most and what it's like to be short and underestimated, but she doesn't understand me and it makes me so sad. She even blames my height on me not sleeping enough, or eating enough, or I must have done d**** to stunt my growth. It hurts to know they have no faith in me, and they make me feel like a failure.

Can you guys give me advice on how to deal with this and my family?

Get a strap

So the iconic pro smoker user has been in highschool this whole time?

Smh all them cigarettes stunted your growth

stopped reading at 5’5

you’re f***ed

and they're right

I wouldn't wanna protect someone who doesn't want me to

it's a f***ed up spot to be in considering that your dad is tall

they only advice I can give you is maybe work out

but also try to build a good identity for yourself outside of doing something for other people

@op leg lengthening surgery

OP is trolling but I genuinely do empathize with the pain a lot of short guys are going through

also it's crazy that tobacco man is a highschooler. not even sure if i should believe that

I do work out like I said in the post sometimes I’m even stronger than my cousin

Cause he ain’t lol

Get yourself some fire king.

protect them from what though?

are you sure they weren’t just joking w u beuh

what type of gun would you recommend for a beginner? @Ronin

Seriously considering this now that two people have suggested it

Sick dude congrats 💪

I stand on my money then my height it turn to 5'7"

post is taller than op

stopped reading at "I'm currently in high school" because no you're not

and that was a lot of text

Man you just pissed me off

@op I feel you mane