We were all unique as children, just as we are now. Of course, our teachers and parents taught us that those differences are what make us special, and that there is nothing wrong with being different. Your gender, ethnicity or even height don’t matter. It’s what you are inside.
A recent issue of the Archives of Disease in Childhood says differently. An article states that the height of a baby boy at his first birthday could predict what his income is going to be later. As this new study suggests, infant boys measuring 72 centimeters (28 inches) or less, grow up to have lower income than those of 80 centimeters (31.5 inches) or more.
The most likely explanation for this phenomenon appeared to be slow brain growth or malnutrition. Surprisingly enough, the association between height in infancy and income later in life did not seem to be affected by socio-economic status.
However, the whole laborious research work and sensational results just don’t make sense. With all due respect to the researchers, I can’t believe such absurdity. Moreover, if I were a man, I would never agree to be a part of such a research. Ever.
It seems to be as ridiculous as saying that women cannot be great mathematicians or that a larger percentage of murders are committed during a full moon. Certain factors may influence your future development and cause you to earn a higher income, but the height of an infant has nothing to do with it.
It is only those who personally decide how strong they are, how well they handle difficult situations, how skillfully they fulfill their job who determine how much money they earn. You are in charge of your own life, and it is up to you to determine what education you want. You take or lose the opportunities that life gives you.
This is what makes you successful-personal conviction and belief that you have the right to be successful. A person who does not want much will get exactly what he or she desires.
It has always seemed to be easier to say that something prevents you from living a better life. Let it be your appearance, your neighbors, the weather-it doesn’t matter. It is always easier to say, “I earn so little money because as an infant I did not reach this magic 72 centimeters mark.”
You can continue to make different excuses for your failures or face reality and achieve your goals.
Researchers also say that taller men marry sooner, get a better education, are promoted more quickly, have more success in politics and other advantages. (It is still a moot point whether an earlier marriage is an advantage, though). To be honest, if you listen to all these studies, you will probably want to jump off a bridge.
Here’s an example. When animal tamers want to tame a baby elephant, they tie him very tightly to a big tree. Since the poor animal is still a child, he is not strong enough to pull free. But he gets used to the idea that he is not strong enough to escape and even when he is grown up and strong enough to break free, he simply does not. In his mind is the false belief that he is not strong enough to beat the tree, so he does nothing.
Don’t be like this elephant. Don’t take at face value these scientific studies that seem to limit what you can do. Do not take something as an oracle while it may not even apply to your life circumstances.
Milana Karayanidi is a freshman in international business. She can be reached at [email protected].