Lies We Tell Kids

Everyone lies. It is human nature and nothing can be done about it. In this essay by Paul Graham, the truth behind the lies is revealed.

http://www.paulgraham.com/lies.html

"We were all lied to as kids, and some of the lies we were told still affect us. By studying the ways adults lie to kids, we may be able to clear our heads of lies we were told." Graham has taken on the challenge of figuring out we lie to kids. Is it because we were lied to? Because telling a lie is sometimes easier than telling the truth? Or because we just don't know the answers to all the questions?

According to Graham, the main reason we lie is to protect. To protect our children from the world out there. Protect them from the knowledge of sex or drugs or even their identity.

What do we lie about though? Most frequently it is the following...

1) Peace
2) Sex (and Drugs)
3) Innocence
4) Death
5) Identity
6) Authority
7) School

When I think if lying, the first thing that pops into my head is Santa Clause or the Easter Bunny (sorry if just crushed your dreams AO) It is a known fact that your parents pretend to be these two heros. It is passed down from their parents and their childhood. The lie is passed down through the generations.

When you think of lies we are told, what pops into your head first?