When we were growing up, we were taught the value of honesty. Our parents told us never to lie, and groomed us into honest kids. However, our parents also taught us the importance of kindness and to protect the feelings of others. This creates conflict, because often it is not possible to be both nice and truthful. The reality is that sometimes the truth hurts, and in high school, we must constantly choose between being honest and being polite.

Often, in an attempt to preserve relationships, we lie to our loved ones. We lie to them everyday. They are usually white lies though; small and insignificant. The fact that we tell our moms that their casserole is amazing when it’s less than great is okay, right? And isn’t it fine to tell our best friend that we like their new haircut, even when we don’t? We tell our significant others that we love the gift we hate. We are lying, but with the best of intentions. I would say that lying to each other in these circumstances is okay.

Of course these white lies must stop somewhere. There are some lies that we should never tell, regardless of how badly the truth may hurt. We should not encourage our tone-deaf sisters to audition for The Voice. We should not tell our friends that their make-up looks good, when their eyeliner is a bit raccoon-inspired. We should not let our dads go out to their class reunion in those awful corduroy pants. We may save them from some embarrassment and public ridicule.

Lies must never be told when it endangers someone’s well-being or mental state. In these more serious situations, white lies and sugarcoating must stop. We should not tell our loved one’s that something is okay, when it’s obviously not. If honesty would be better for them in the long run, it is always better to be honest. It may be harder for us to tell the truth but we’ll all be happier in the end.

What Would Jaylin Do? Protect feelings when it is possible. Be honest when it is necessary.