Responded one commenter, 'It's not a death sentence, you're just short'
Some 4,500 have reacted and 2,700 people have shared comment so far on a social media post shared by an individual who said he "blames" his parents for his "short height and inability to date" — with the man asking others on the platform if he's wrong for the way he feels after a blowup with his parents.
Describing himself as a 20-year-old male who is 5'3" tall and attends college, the man wrote that the "rest of his family is average to tall: My dad is 5'10, my mom is 5'6 [and] my brothers are 5'11 and 6'1."
He then provided more context.
"When I was 11 or 12," he wrote, "my doctor told my family that my pituitary gland was malfunctioning [and] acting unpredictably, so in the coming years it would either stop producing growth hormone altogether really quickly and leave me short — or it would overproduce and I’d be tall (6’3+)."
Added the man, "It was impossible to predict which one would happen, and they suggested hormone-stabilizing shots that would ensure normal growth."
Sharing his story on social media, a college student wrote that his "doctor told my family that my pituitary gland was malfunctioning [and] acting unpredictably, so in the coming years it would either stop producing growth hormone altogether really quickly and leave me short — or it would overproduce and I’d be tall." (Cyberguy.com)
The individual, who goes by the username "Southern_Bed_1402" on the subreddit known as AITA ("Am I the a--hole"), also wrote, "My parents have been and are still wealthy and had no issue paying for these, but they said I had a chance to become very tall without these shots, so I should take it."
The young man added, "I said I’d rather have the shots because I’d rather just guarantee I’m ‘average’ than have a 50% shot of being incredibly short, but they didn’t listen."
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He went on, "As a result, I stopped growing very early and I’m only 5’3."
"It was quite literally their choice that led me to the situation in which I don’t have a girlfriend and am short."
Providing more of the personal story, the individual continued, "My parents and siblings always make jokes about it and how I don’t have a girlfriend, which makes me angry because it was quite literally their choice that led me to the situation in which I don’t have a girlfriend and am short."
He said that "this past weekend, they visited me at college, and started making the same jokes — so I got angry and shouted at them that they can joke all they want but the reality is I’m in the situation I’m in because of the choice they made."
The 20-year-old man who shared his story with others explained that his parents "visited me at college, and started making the same jokes — so I got angry and shouted at them that they can joke all they want but the reality is I’m in the situation I’m in because of the choice they made." (Stephanie Pagones/Fox News Digital)
The man then wrote, "My mom started crying and my dad got angry and said I was being a huge [a--hole]."
So, he went on to wonder, "Am I the AITA?"
Fox News Digital reached out to the original poster for further comment, and reached out as well to a psychologist for insight into the situation.
Commenters who chimed in had plenty of sympathy for the original poster, with many telling him they felt badly for him — while also saying that he shouldn't worry about his height.
"Focus on yourself, your education and your career. Be a good person and you’ll meet someone worth your time."
Said one person, "You may not want to hear it or you may have heard it before, but your height won’t be a deal breaker for some women."
This same writer added, "Not everyone is so shallow to write off a good guy because of his height, and if they are that shallow then you don’t want to be with them in the long term anyway."
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The same commenter added in a later response, "Hang in there and focus on the things you can control."
One commenter told the college student that he wasn't in the wrong for "being upset with [the family] because that's a decision that absolutely should have not been made, especially against your will." However, this same commenter added, "I strongly suggest you stop blaming them for you not getting a girlfriend." (iStock)
Many commenters took issue with the family situation described by the original poster.
"I’m so sorry your family treats you so terribly. I’m guessing they feel guilty for making a choice that went against your wishes," wrote one person.
"I strongly suggest you stop blaming them for you not getting a girlfriend."
Another commenter said the young man wasn't wrong for "being upset with them [the family] because that's a decision that absolutely should have not been made, especially against your will."
However, this same individual added, "I strongly suggest you stop blaming them for you not getting a girlfriend."
One commenter wrote to the original poster (not pictured), "Your body has so many things in your favor — you just need to know how to play them up!" (Cyberguy.com)
And yet another commenter said to the young man, "Stop letting people tear you down and stop tearing yourself down."
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Still another person offered this perspective: "It's worth noting that almost all heartthrob male actors are relatively short because it makes their proportions look better on camera! It also means that if you ever get into working out, you'll be able to ‘bulk’ and get that broad-chested, muscular appearance for more easily than any tall man ever will."
The person added, "Your body has so many things in your favor — you just need to know how to play them up!"
Wrote someone else very directly, "It sucks your parents made a decision that affected your life and you didn't have a say — that is a problem and I'm sorry that happened to you."
Yet "I think you're taking this way too seriously," this commenter went on. "It's not a death sentence, you're just short. If you want to spend the energy being angry about something you can't change, we'll, it's your life. But I would recommend learning how to accept and celebrate who and what you are."
For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews/lifestyle
Maureen Mackey is managing editor of lifestyle for Fox News Digital.
