How Will People Treat Me Since I Am Shorter Than Other Girls My Age?
I'm a 12 year old and I recently asked a question about height differences between girls and boys. I have another question. If I'm shorter than girls my age will what will adults think off me . Will I be treated like a child and the girl like an adult, will they think that I'm weaker than them, will coaches make the boys do lighter work outs than girls, will I not be allowed to do certain things that girls are, will they show more pitty towards us, will that subtlety make fun of me saying "look the girls are taller than you" or will they think off me equally and still think that boys are stronger and able to handle more aggressive tasks. I need an honest answer as this has been bugging me that adults will think that girls are stronger and that I will get made fun off just because I might be shorter
People can certainly have biases about different physical attributes including hair color, height, weight, skin color, perceived level of attractiveness and more. But at the end of the day, what will have the greatest impact on how people perceive you and treat you is your character, the things you do and how you present yourself to the world.
TeenHealhFX would like to give you the real-life example of Paris Strickland. Paris Strickland is a 10-year-old girl who overcame a rare form of cancer. The illness left her a smaller size than her peers and with a limp. However, despite these physical attributes she became a reputable actress, landing the role of Tiny Tim in a production of Scrooge in Chicago. She was the first girl to play the part. She is talented, courageous and a fighter – and in the end, this is what people are generally reminded of when they think of her.
If you have concerns about how people are viewing you or treating you, then FX recommends you speak to a trusted adult about it. You could speak to a parent, a staff member at school or even a private therapist. If this is something you are worried about or struggling with, it is important that you have the support and guidance you need from a caring, trusted adult so you don’t have to deal with it all on your own.
If you live in northern New Jersey and need help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 888-247-1400. Outside of this area you can log onto the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website for referrals in your area. You can also contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network mental health providers or check with your school social worker or psychologist to get a list of referrals in your area.
