From the Wall Street Journal re: Chinese Women's Gymnastics Team

The Wall Street Journal, in midst of the Olympic controversy regarding the Chinese women's gymnastics team, published this entry on "reverse age discrimination" on Wednesday, noting issues relating to petite women. Many people are saying that the girls are younger than 16 because they're very petite - the team averages about 4'9" and 70-something pounds, while the Japanese team is a good 1 1/2" to 2" taller and some eight pounds heavier. Do you think that people automatically judge us based on our height? I have heard stories of petites where bouncers and bar tenders automaticaly think they're underage and won't even look at ID...even if the petite person presents it to them. And what about work or fashion? I think one of the reasons why some petite sizes have such a hard time is not just because of its dullness/grannyness, but because The Powers That Be dismiss us. In addition, many petite women have "accepted" the fact that they need a tailor, rather than campaign for the need to have clothes that are closer to her size. I don't think we should just sit in the corner. We need to have our voices heard. Maybe then the bouncers will at least ask for your ID rather than telling you that you can't go in.