Why is dwarfism considered an advantage for jobs in space?

First, a clarification:

Dwarfism is the umbrella term for 200+ medical conditions that result in short stature. Since this is Worldbuilding, my question refers to human beings with genetic dwarfism (not a fantasy/mythological race of Dwarves).

Pre-natal screenings will avoid or solve serious medical conditions and debilitating syndromes that can accompany genetic dwarfism. Lifespan and overall health will be comparable to the average population.

A small problem:

However, I want to avoid a situation where achondroplasic dwarfism (short-limbed dwarfism) is erased in favor of proportional dwarfism "“ the goal is to include rl marginalized people in my universe, not to invent an 'idealized' form of dwarfism that favors proportionalism. This would defeat the purpose.

Research suggests that I have a world-breaking conundrum: achondroplasic dwarfism might be 'correctable' along with the same pre-natal treatments that solve debilitating genetic syndromes; meanwhile proportional dwarfism might be induced in children artificially if it gives a child (and by extension their family) a financial advantage. While this is an interesting aspect for someone to explore, it's a whole conversation I'm not qualified to lead on.

I'll probably avoid this aspect, but I mention it because it effects the answers I might get. Whatever the real reasons (opportunity, tradition, nepotism, prejudice) society associates genetic dwarfism with job entitlement, but have not induced dwarfism artificially in all of their children.

Now, on to the Question:

My medium is a graphic novel set in a distant future where interstellar travel is common but prohibitively expensive. I will be showing adult characters with achondroplasic dwarfism, but probably not explaining how so many came to be in positions of authority, engineering, family wealth, etc.

In-world, society perceives dwarfism to be an advantage for jobs related to space travel. It does not need to be a universal truth, just a common belief. Perhaps it was true in the early days of space colonization, or there were regulatory conditions that favored certain families. (I'm thinking of the European idea of 'Jewish bankers', there is no genetic advantage). It doesn't need to be physical superiority, or even a factual truth by the time in the story.

Why is dwarfism considered an advantage for jobs in space?

posted almost 5 years ago

wetcircuit‭

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