A few weeks ago the Israeli dati humorous news and misc. articles website "Mooktze" put out an article in one of the Shabbat newsletters on why dati teenagers are short compared to secular teenagers. The article can be read on their website here.
I was reminded of this because I took a rare afternoon nap before mincha today and even more rarer, trusted my body to wake me up on time rather than set an alarm (it worked!).
They listed five main reasons that research suggests may be behind the difference in height between the two teen groups:
I was reminded of this because I took a rare afternoon nap before mincha today and even more rarer, trusted my body to wake me up on time rather than set an alarm (it worked!).
They listed five main reasons that research suggests may be behind the difference in height between the two teen groups:
1. Religious people simply cannot allow themselves to wake up naturally. They have to set alarm clocks or other means of waking up because they have to be on time for davening three times a day. This causes some mental and physical pressure that stunts growth.
2. עול מצוות at 13 causes some more mental and emotional pressure. Though most kids gradually ease into things from childhood, it can still be considered a sudden burden dropped on one's shoulders.
3. Less sunlight. Religious kids have longer school hours than secular kids because they have double the subjects: Religious studies and secular studies. Secular teens finish school around 13:00-14:00 in the afternoon and are then free to frolic out in the sun.
4. Gender-separated classrooms. In a word: Hormones.
5. [I have no idea if this one is serious or not] Guarding your eyes while walking out in the street often leads one to walk around slightly bent.
2. עול מצוות at 13 causes some more mental and emotional pressure. Though most kids gradually ease into things from childhood, it can still be considered a sudden burden dropped on one's shoulders.
3. Less sunlight. Religious kids have longer school hours than secular kids because they have double the subjects: Religious studies and secular studies. Secular teens finish school around 13:00-14:00 in the afternoon and are then free to frolic out in the sun.
4. Gender-separated classrooms. In a word: Hormones.
5. [I have no idea if this one is serious or not] Guarding your eyes while walking out in the street often leads one to walk around slightly bent.
