This Is Why People Lie About Their Age

Many a times we have been made to believe so many gist about lying about our age, that we think it’s just cool to fib.

Terms like “football age”, “political age” and even “business age” have taken over in our new world. Many professionals, stars and known faces alter their birth certificates to lower their ages with the main intents of getting some benefits known to them. While we see our footballers on the screen looking all grown facially and “looking young” with the age displayed on the screen with their names, one cannot but marvel at the great disparity.

Some politicians tend to lie about their age, skin complexions (whether they are bleaching or not) and even their family affairs. If truths cannot be gotten from politicians who are the leaders of the nation, where else can truths be gotten from? Some few days ago, many teachers were noticed to be using false age, certificates, etc in Edo state by the Gov. Oshiomhole’s led administration…. What has this got to convey across to onlookers? That the lying culture is in all the nooks and crannies of the country called Nigeria.

TON conducted an opinion poll amongst Nigerians on why people lie especially about their age, and if they themselves have ever lied about their age at some point before and here are the amazing comments we got:

Vincent, 30, Computer Analyst

Most people lie about their age because of the state of the economy in Nigeria. Most employers prefer young persons which leaves many older graduates at the mercy of unemployment. Does it mean older people will remain jobless because of age factor? Yes, I have had to lie about my age once because I could not help the situation.

Anne, 32, Entrepreneur

Generally, older people want to feel younger which makes many to change their age, best suiting the situation they are faced with. Yes, I have once had to lie sometimes back when I was younger because I couldn’t help the situation.

Sodiq, Graduate

I do not really like to disclose my age but people tend to lie about their age so as to gain professional or academic advantage. People also do so to score some egoistic cheap points in relationships. Some also do it to blend well or fit-in in a new environment they find themselves. Academic wise, meeting up with NYSC age standard, fear of not fizzling out in the labour market after school due to various job age restrictions amongst others are reasons. Yes, I have had to lie about my age in the academic setting.

Anu, Blogger

This attitude is common amongst ladies, although people lie about everything but ladies do it more. While guys tend to avoid being inferior, ladies do it to suit the situation they are in and also to feel good. I have never lied about age to anyone before and I do not plan to do so in future because I would rather liked to be seen for who I really am.

Surprised? It is really a pathetic that a good number of people are guilty on this count. Although many people lie about everything, this age fabrication is huge one as only a handful few can boast of not being guilty of this trend. But the question is: Are our reasons for lying about our age healthy enough to justify our actions? If everyone is doing it, must we also join the bandwagons? When did we start having “official age” and “unofficial age”?