Q&A

Should I punish my child for lying?

Should I punish my child for lying?

The important thing is to help your child feel secure, safe, and supported so that he knows he can talk to you without losing your affection and love. In fact, research shows that when you threaten kids with punishment for lying, they are less likely to tell the truth.

Why does my kid lie so much?

They may also tell lies when they’re feeling stressed, are trying to avoid conflict, or want attention. Sometimes kids lie when something bad or embarrassing has happened to them. They want to keep it hidden or to create a story for themselves that makes them feel better. Age and development play a role, too.

Is it OK to lie for a good cause?

“People care about whether you have good intentions a lot more than whether the person is being honest per se.” Just remember: Lies are most beneficial when they’re not selfish. If you tell your partner he or she looks great before a date to boost his or her self-esteem, that’s one thing, Schweitzer says.

Can lying ever be justified?

Each of these very serious lies are authorized by a group, organization, or government. The liar and the authorizing agent believe lying is justified, necessary to do the job, although the employer may not always respect the liar for doing so. Typically the liar does not feel guilty about telling an authorized lie.