A lot of kids growing up today are well beyond their years in terms of knowledge and appearance. But donโt think itโs all because of our current society. As youโll discover, many kids looked much older than they were as shown in these photos that date back 10, 20, and even 30 years.
Some of the photos of kids who look decades older are funny while others are slightly disturbing. In certain instances, their look is natural while other times, it has to do with their hairstyle, makeup, and clothing. Regardless, you canโt help but look.
1. Up and coming actress?
Well, not really. In this photo, it looks as though this person was having a headshot done for a movie role. But she was only 12 years old. Yes, itโs a glamor shot but this mightโve been taking things a little bit too far.
Source:
Reddit/ThatSquareChick
2. Married with five kids
When you first look at this photo, thatโs probably what comes to mind. You know, a typical housewife who was having a bad day. Nopeโฆshe too was only 12 at the time. Whatโs with the smoking and where were her parents? So many questions.
Source:
Reddit/dboyer87
3. A man trying to look cool
This guy was still in high school. Okay, he mightโve been a teenager who was trying to look like a cool man but he missed the markโฆby a lot.
Source:
Reddit
4. More glamor shots
During the 1980s and 1990s, glamor shots were all the rage. A lot of โordinaryโ women wanted a photograph that transformed them into something gorgeous. Thatโs fine but at age 10?
Source:
Reddit/MunchZbae
5. The school librarian
If you saw this individual working as a librarian at a public school, you probably wouldnโt think twice about it. But what if you found out she was only 10? You mightโve felt inclined to file a child labor complaint.
Source:
Reddit/skelliousmaximus
6. The only clue
Considering this photo was taken many years ago, youโd see the braces and immediately know this was a teenager. But today, sheโd easily pass for a 30-year-old woman.
Source:
Reddit/PetuniaPetunia
7. Too grown-up
Okay, so this looks more like a younger girl but everything about this photo is wrong. The parasol, pearl necklace, the dress, the pose, you name it. Her parents shouldโve just let her be a kid.
Source:
Imgur
8. Not a happy child
For one thing, this girl was way too young to have a grownup photo taken. But secondly, she agreed. That look on her face spoke volumes as to what she thought about the shenanigans.
Source:
Reddit/sarahelleher
9. Mamaโs in the kitchen
Hey, when you have a bunch of hungry kids to feed, you have to buckle down and fix them dinner. But at 12? Hopefully, this was nothing more than a cute photo op.
Source:
Reddit/Saint_Hoochie
10. A dead giveaway
If this person was dressed differently, youโd think she was an adult. But since she was wearing a jacket covered in Girl Scout badges, the truth came out. At least she excelled at earning them.
Source:
Reddit/dogshitihsgod
11. A mature woman
Have you ever met a woman who has a striking resemblance to a child? Well, thatโs not whatโs going on here. The person in this photo was just a child who happened to look older than she was.
Source:
Reddit/caahtatonic
12. Dad playing with his kids
Few things are better than seeing a dad whoโs not afraid to dress up for some fun time with the kids. Although the father mightโve been somewhere in the room, this was one of his kids playing.
Source:
Reddit/lacqueredup
13. Just a dowdy woman
When this photo was taken in 1981, the woman herself said she looked more like a 57-year-old. And while not to be mean, we have to agree.
Source:
Reddit
14. Dressing alike
Unless youโre talking about infants, most kids look much older when they dress the same as their moms. Hereโs a perfect example. The older girl looked more like a teenager although she was just 10.
Source:
Reddit/Lady_Dash
15. Itโs grandma
Do you remember when we told you how popular glamor shots were in the day? See, even a grandma had one done. Oh wait, thatโs just a small child who was made to look like a grandmother with an attitude.
Source:
Reddit/dumbolddoor
16. Everyoneโs favorite chef
Thatโs what it looks like anyway. But this kid was getting ready for a Valentineโs Day dance when his parents insisted on taking his photo inside of the restaurant they owned. We wonder how old he looks today since this was taken eons ago.
Source:
Reddit/twolfe13
17. A troubled teen
At best, youโd think this girl was a teenager going through a rebellious period. Then again, with those separated bangs and hair clips, you know she probably wasnโt more than seven years old.
Source:
Reddit/jadejong
18. Hollywoodโs elite
This woman is gorgeous. She has the looks, the outfit, and the sassy attitude that it takes to succeed in Hollywood. The only problemโฆshe was merely 13 years old. Wowโฆthereโs some food for thought.
Source:
Reddit
19. Still stunning at 40
So, in 1991, what did a divorced 40-year-old-woman do? Get a glamor shot, of course. But in this case, it was a 10-year-old girl who decided to do it. You heard that rightโฆshe was 10 in this photo.
Source:
Reddit/saltygoodness27
20. A young man or a puppy dog?
Neitherโฆthis is a boy with a really bad hairdo. Okay, back in the day, that style was popular. Thank goodness, itโs not today.
Source:
Reddit/grahvity
21. Future car salesman?
From the looks of it, this kid wasnโt too far from having a job selling cars. But hereโs the deal, since he was much younger than he appeared, his career was still many years away. He gets credit for looking super sharp.
Source:
Reddit/OctopusSanta
22. Still so young
If you look closely at this girlโs clothes and her face, you can tell she was probably about four or five years old. But with that hair, she looked quite a bit older than thatโฆat least 10 years older.
Source:
Imgur
23. Dignified and mature
Without those gaps in her teeth, youโd swear this girl was a teenager at a minimum. While we donโt know her exact age at that time, she appeared to be more like eight. And that might be pushing it.
Source:
Reddit/cant-explain
24. Heโs cool and he knows it
Along with that impressive stance, this boy had a face that naturally looked much older than his real age. Letโs hope that slowed down at some point or today, he might look like heโs 80 at the age of 50.
Source:
Reddit/Godslry1
25. A beautiful bride
This individual explained that while young, she had a faux wedding where she married a giant stuffed Pikachu. Seriouslyโฆshe was way too young to even be thinking about marriage.
Source:
Reddit/DisgruntledPiebian
26. Pure deception
During the 1990s, kids didnโt have the same cool options for eyeglasses as they do today. For that reason, those who wore them always looked older than their actual age. Hereโs proof.
Source:
Imgur
27. Good intentions
Although this 1990s photo was the wrong era, it showed that this guy had the good intentions of going to battle for something he believed in. But at such a young age, that wouldnโt have been possible.
Source:
Imgur
28. Park Rangerโฆready for duty
Thereโs no question this guy looked old enough to work as a Park Ranger. But considering he was only 17 in this photo, he more than likely worked for Disneyland as a guide on the Safari ride. And what do you want to bet all the other high school seniors envied his mustache?
Source:
Imgur
29. Teacher of the Year
This woman couldโve easily passed for a 30-year-old. As a matter of fact, she looked like someone who wouldโve received the Teacher of the Year award. While she sat at a desk, it was as a student not someone leading a class.
Source:
Reddit/myghostinflames
30. Vampire-loving man
Apparently, this man was really into vampires. Since he was actually just a teen in this photo, hopefully, he grew out of that phase of life.
Source:
Imgur
31. Big surprises
This individual shared two pieces of information about this photo. First, they were only 13 although they look much older. Second, this person is a girl who was a serious tomboy at the time.
Source:
Reddit/potato4213
32. Youโve got to be kidding
Sure, this outfit is quite child-like. But if you focus on the face, this person appears much older than the ripe age of eight. Youโd probably never guess he was so young.
Source:
Reddit/Desterado
33. Always believe your parentsโฆor not
Although young, this boyโs parents told him his new glasses made him look a lot like Elton John. Well, they mightโve been a little off with that comment. Perhaps as he got older the resemblance became stronger.
Source:
Reddit/tomreddit1
34. Does following a trend age a person?
You be the judge. With all that โstuff,โ this girl looks years older than her actual age. Weโd say in this caseโฆyes, it does.
Source:
Reddit/paneradfisk
35. A qualified tax preparer
Too many people, this is what a tax preparer typically looks like. And maybe as she aged, thatโs what she ended up doing. But in this photo, she was only 11 years old.
Source:
Reddit/coinoperatedgirl
36. Nailed it with the hair
The 1980s and 1990s were all about big hair and this girl nailed it. But with the spikes, she looked as though she was in her 20s when in fact, she was much, much younger.
Source:
Imgur
37. A future politician
Thatโs what this photo seems to imply. But as the poster shared, she was still a teenager at the time and someone going through an awkward period of life.
Source:
Reddit/smithersboss
38. Man on the prowl
When this photo was taken, the guy thought this pose would catch the eye of all the single ladies. It probably did but not in a good way. At a minimum, youโd guess him to be in college but this was during his high school years.
Source:
Reddit/MaxwellSinclair
39. Just another young college studentโฆ
โฆor so it seems. But at the time of this photo, this girl wasnโt even in high school yet. Perhaps if she had longer hair, there would be a different impression.
Source:
Reddit/UnicornsAndJerky
40. The clothes give it away
At first glance, this boy looks much older than 12. But then again, if you focus on his Spiderman shirt, yeah, heโs definitely 12.
Source:
Reddit/Ben-Dover-Hear
41. Earning a bachelorโs degree
Thatโs what this photo could easily pass for but it was just a high school senior getting his diploma. Although he looked older in this photo than he was, kudos to him for his success.
Source:
Reddit/Lars_El
42. That pose
Okay, in this photo, the blond-haired boy doesnโt appear to be more than 12, which was probably his age at the time. But that poseโฆweโre not sure an adult could do better.
Source:
Imgur
43. The cat lady
For any of you who have an aunt with 30 cats, you get it. Thatโs what this girl looked like at the time. But at just eight years old, she wasnโt anywhere near ready for that kind of responsibility.
Source:
Reddit/fluorescentpuffin
44. The next great American star
Thatโs what it looks like this glamor shot photographer was going for. Yes, sheโs adorable, but she was quite young here. Not the grown woman she was made to look like.
Source:
Reddit/Spycegurl
45. Faculty member
If you donโt look at this photo too long, itโd be easy to confuse this person as a member of a schoolโs faculty as opposed to the elementary student she was.
Source:
Reddit/laqueristaa
46. Progressing rapper
Remember two things. First, when this photo was taken, rap didnโt even exist. Second, this isnโt a college or even high school student. This boy was still in middle schoolโฆand he had big dreams. Hopefully, he achieved them.
Source:
Reddit
47. Identity crisis
Itโs no wonder so many people thought this was a 40-year-old woman, perhaps someone who worked at a church. But when this photo was taken, she was just 12. Wow, thatโs crazy.
Source:
Reddit/mrs-monroe
48. Good try
Okay, so maybe this kid doesnโt look older than his age. But we felt he deserved to be mentioned because he tried so hard. With the oversized Hawaiian shirt, sunglasses, and hat turned backwardโฆyeah.
Source:
Imgur
49. World traveler
For one thing, this guy definitely looks older than 16. But also, this was his passport photo. In the 1980s, that wasnโt something you saw very often.
Source:
Imgur
50. Her fairytale
All girls dream of being a princess, complete with a castle and unicorn. But itโs rare for an adult woman. Fortunately, this individual wasnโt a woman but rather, a girl not even in high school.
Source:
Reddit
51. A gorgeous Southern Belle
Looking at this photo, you might easily believe this is a real Southern Belle. Well, itโs not. Instead of a gorgeous grown woman, this gal was just 14 years of age.
Source:
Reddit/dilholforever
52. Almost
Minus the Furby, which is adorable by the way, this girl could pass for someone whoโs older. But with that thing in the photo, you can tell she was youngโฆonly 12 as a matter of fact.
Source:
Reddit/thebloodofthematador
53. Just another housewife
This individual looked old enough to have grown children. Thatโs kind of sad considering she was just going into seventh grade. That means she was 13โฆnot 50.
Source:
Reddit/notshelbybrewer
54. Oh my
This just goes to show that even 40 years ago, children were way too big for their britchesโฆor in this case, their bras. Slow down, kids. Enjoy being youngโฆit doesnโt last.
Source:
Reddit/ImHereToBlowSunshine
55. Can you guess her age?
Is this person 12 or 42? After being asked that question, coming up with the right answer might be difficult. One second, she looks like a young girl but the next second, an adult. Okayโฆsheโs 12.
Source:
Reddit/tahruh
56. Ahead of the times
Today, a lot of kids dress up as the Joker based on the recent Batman movies. But at the time this photo was taken, kids read comic books. That means this teenager was a progressive mover.
Source:
Reddit
57. A woman and her dog
Waitโฆnot so fast. Yes, thatโs a beautiful, 10-year-old Labrador. But no, that isnโt a woman. Believe it or not, she was the same age as her pup.
Source:
Reddit/LATL21
58. A lesson learnedโฆ
โฆor we hope it was. This guy thought dying his hair red would make him look older. And it didโฆsort of. But a lot of people think he shouldโve taken the advice on his shirt.
Source:
Reddit/b-ogburn
59. Heading to Wall Street
Although this kid wasnโt even old enough to get a driverโs license at the time, he had the look required to be a big wig on Wall Street. Too cute for words.
Source:
Reddit/Angry_Jonny
60. The right phase of life
During this guyโs โcowboy phase,โ he didnโt have a problem getting attention from women. The only thingโฆhe was a high schooler who was way too young to be a serious player.
Source:
Reddit/dB33zy
61. Puppy love
Yesโฆthey look young. But considering they were on a formal dateโฆat the age of 13โฆthey seem much older. The funny thing, it looks as though this kid had to borrow one of his dadโs shirts, which was way too big.
Source:
Reddit
62. A very old family
When an entire family shares a mullet haircut, guess what happens? Everyone ages by at least 10 years. Weโre so glad this style is no longer popular along with millions of people.
Source:
Reddit
63. Yeah, he was cool
At least thatโs the look this kid was going for. Put on a football jersey and hat and youโre bound to look older than your actual age. Sorryโฆit doesnโt work that way now and it didnโt work that way when this photo was taken.
Source:
Imgur
64. A young Bill Gates?
Thatโs kind of what this looks like. No, itโs not Mr. Gates but this kid had the same innovative mind. Weโre betting he grew up to achieve something great.
Source:
Reddit/RedBombX
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