Based upon what I have learned in light, [@POOHEAD189], not at all an exhaustive or comprehensive delving into the matter, it seems tall females are regard as "alpha females" unironically, I might note. Males apparently seem to regard them as more ambitious and difficult to keep or know social pace with, in addition to a stigma that they might be "too masculine" as biologically height in humans is more prevalent among the men, and that the general standard as it goes is that women who are shorter are regarded, at least by survey, "as more motherly and nurturing". At least a component of it is intimidation, some elements of social expectation, then a tad of biological investment. Personally I disagree with this apparent "general" standard, which seems to vary from 40% to 58% of average men in their taste for height, but I am no good metric to measure against. One other related, but random factor is that the length of a woman's legs in proportion to her body, as well as the way her body weight sits on her frame, are considered more important; a female of average height but lean and long legged would see, statistically at least, higher returns than a tall yet proportionate female with a more heavy or muscular build.

It should also bear mention that taller women seem to have certain advantages and disadvantages in life as a component of this, that males take them more seriously, consider them a greater threat, and they are at least partially biased by their height biologically to be more outgoing, athletic and aggressive. I suppose, coming from the side of felinology, this is also true with [i]maned lionesses[/i], who seem to have many parallels here; they are physically larger, more robust, aggressive, outgoing, and even a deterrent to outsider males when part of a pride. There is unquestionably more to this, which I admit is a fascinating subject, but I am not qualified beyond my own limited observations and research to say if these are related mechanisms. Socially they might well be, but I cannot say.

Speaking of social implications, it appears to be among my limited community the notion of taller women takes some issue in the fact the majority of males are... stereotypical, to say the least of them. So the general rule of "Men having a thing for women shorter than them." might be well skewed into that territory deeper than it should be.