Are all boys taller than their mothers?

[Azimov]

Someone told me recently that it is a "well known fact" that adult males are "always" taller than their mothers.

I confess I was sceptical at first, even to the point of incredulous derision, but now I'm not so sure!

Since hearing this I've yet to meet a single person, even the shortest of guys, who disproves the statement.

If true, then what's the evolutionary advantage attained by a genetic mechanism such as "make me taller than my mother regardless of how tall my father is"?

[Lonnie]

Woudn't know about statistics, but generally speaking, males are taller than females anyway, so I would guess that in most cases, that is true.

[chazza]

Not always

[boobesque]

my son is shorter than me

oh wait, he is only 7

sorry, couldnt resist!

[Lonnie]

I did say, 'generally', of course, there are exceptions to the rule, have a look around at all the families you know, that have adult male sons, bet most of them are taller than their mothers.

[Lonnie]

boobesque, do remember what your sons height was when he was four?, the 'experts', and i'm not one, reckon that at four, you should be half the height you will be, when your full grown.

[boobesque]

no, my son was small for his age until he had his food tube in his tummy, now he is tall, so judging by him now he will be rather tall!

[bernardo]

Lonnie wrote:

boobesque, do remember what your sons height was when he was four?, the 'experts', and i'm not one, reckon that at four, you should be half the height you will be, when your full grown.

Where on earth did you get that nonsense from? According to the Guinness Book of Answers 7th Edition page 112, the age at which children rerach half their adult height is 2 years 1 month (for boys) and 1 year 9 months (for girls). At the age of 4, boys and girls are 58.0% and 61.8% of their eventual adult height respectively.

[boobesque]

Bernado, how would that work for my son? he was 3 and a half months early, so he was minature til last year (when he had his gastro op) now he is huge.

[Lonnie]

bernardo, if your having a dig, feel free, your showing your true nature, we all have our sources, and they will not all agree, I was just quoting one. If you think what I put is wrong, say so, but be polite about it.

[bernardo]

I was being polite. What makes you think otherwise?

[boobesque]

hey, its nearly xmas! now play nice!

Bernado isnt rude Lonnie, its the way things are pointed out on this site, very rarely is anyone intentionally rude!

MErry Christmas!!!

[Lonnie]

Okey Dokey, I apologise bernardo, just the way you started your answer off, I took it the wrong way, and as I said, I apologise.

Have a merry Christmas, and Happy new year.

[Azimov]

I think the perception of "rudeness" lies in the way you began your reply Bernardo...

"Where on earth did you get that nonsense from?" does sound rather condescending.

However, it seems that you have worked out your differences and perhaps, if it doesn't interupt your conversation too much, we could have some more replies relating to the subject in question? :)