It is difficult to say why this happens, and whether it is true, but in the previous century, people visually grew older much faster. Evidence of this phenomenon can be found in numerous photographs.

We will show you 15 such examples, and here’s the question: maybe it’s because of the shabby nature of the old photos, maybe because of the fashion of the time, maybe because of the more meaningful looks of young people from the past, maybe because of living conditions or something else – but don’t you think that the stated age of the people in the photos and their appearance are a contradiction?

1. “My grandma at 16. She is turning 80 this year”

dietmtndewgirl

2. “My dad, 17 years old, 1974, Canada”

aincumis

3. “My mom at 16. She’s 89 now”

vespafitz

4. “My handsome grandfather when he was my age (32)”

mrkb34

5. 14 year old Dolly Parton in 1960

applesweaters

6. “My paternal grandfather aged 16 colourised”

redditladepicgamer

7. Ava Gardner at age 15, 1937

Noenoebot

8. “1940 My Grandad (17 years old in photo) at the Dublin races with his mother”

osinedges

9. “My 14 year old grandfather riding his new bike in 1949 Dayton, Ohio”

ehutch2005

10. “My 17 year old Grandpa in 1961 with his dad’s new car”

Distinee

11. “My Dad when he was 17 in 1971”

Crazyness24

12. “My aunt(18) and uncle(19) in the early 60’s getting ready to go to a couples dinner after celebrating Christmas with the fam”

DeepFriedFear

13. “My husband’s grandfather in 1941 being an absolute hunk. He was 19 at the time”

veganmoongoddess

14. “My Grandmother at 24 in 1934, dancing with my Grandfather”

bishslap

15. “My Ukranian Grandmother in 1927 at 16 years old”

Gdazove