# Why don't kids wear sunglasses? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 16, 2007, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680 "2007-11-16T13:57:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/1 "2007-11-16T13:57:45Z")
Are their eyes less sensitive to light? Or is it just because kids are too rambunctious to keep track of them? I didn’t start wearing them till I started wearing (hard) contacts, which made my eyes significantly less tolerant of brightness and squinting. When do people start wearing shades and why? ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/2 "2007-11-16T14:03:05Z")
I started wearing sunglasses regularly when I started driving. When you’re driving you can’t turn away or just close your eyes. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/3 "2007-11-16T14:03:48Z")
In the North, children wear sunglasses in winter. I think they begin about the time they’re a year old, or whenever they won’t snatch them off at every opportunity. I thought it strange when I first saw it, but it only makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![Carson\_O\_Genic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Carson\_O\_Genic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carson_O_Genic)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/4 "2007-11-16T15:16:44Z")
I noticed light sensitivity at about 10 years of age,and actively sought sunglasses.I have blue eyes.As GingerOTN points out,snow cover and sunny days are excruciating. My mother (hazel eyes) has problems with light indoors or out,and wears sunglasses that make her look like the 60s Stevie Wonder.This happened when she was in her later 70s,so I suspect a genetic thing in relation to my son who has blue eyes and wanted sunglasses around 8 years. ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/5 "2007-11-16T15:17:01Z")
With our kids growing up under the Antarctic Ozone hole, they got to wear sunnies (cheap ones) from an early age. And hats, too. Foreign Legion types with big flaps down the back and sides. Si ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/6 "2007-11-16T15:17:54Z")
[QUOTE=riker1384] I started wearing sunglasses regularly when I started driving. When you’re driving you can’t turn away or just close your eyes. [/QUOTE] Ditto. Beofre that? Too much trouble! ---
**Author:** ![Hastlek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/eada6e/32.png) [@Hastlek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hastlek)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/7 "2007-11-16T15:20:41Z")
When I was a kid, I’d have the occasional nightmare about being outside at recess on a sunny day after recent snowfall! It can be SO bright and painful. That said, I never wore sunglasses till my late teens… I’m not sure why. Now I almost always have some with me. /blue eyes & fair skin ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/8 "2007-11-16T15:27:05Z")
Most toddlers I see walking around usually have their eyes on the ground, and only look up when they need something from an adult. Most things that interest them are either on the ground, or out of reach. That might also explain why I always have to look out not to bump into small kids; they just don’t see me. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/9 "2007-11-16T15:30:39Z")
Moved from General Questions to In My Humble Opinion. **Gfactor** General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![50million](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/9fc348/32.png) [@50million](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/50million)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/10 "2007-11-16T15:40:34Z")
[What do you mean kids don’t wear sunglasses?!](http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmafp/is_200707/ai_n19397972) ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/11 "2007-11-16T15:46:55Z")
[QUOTE=50million] [What do you mean kids don’t wear sunglasses?!](http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmafp/is_200707/ai_n19397972) [/QUOTE] Well, Australia, they do everything backwards. Why do you think they call them the Antipodes? ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/12 "2007-11-16T15:49:06Z")
I wore sunglasses all the time as a kid and now I practically can’t drive in the daytime without putting them on. Maybe I just have sensitive eyes. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/13 "2007-11-16T16:00:51Z")
Most adults I know, including myself, can’t even keep track of sunglasses. I don’t think it’s financially responsible to buy them for kids. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/14 "2007-11-16T16:08:40Z")
Sunglasses can affect [eye development](http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=305&id=1792) in babies if worn too long. Not sure about older kids. ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/15 "2007-11-16T16:13:26Z")
As a kid, I always tried to get sunglasses, but the were either too small (kids glasses), or too large (adult glasses). Once I hit my teens, I could fit into adult sunglasses, and have not been without them for a more than an hour or two since. Of course, now my problem with them is they all tend to be ‘wrap around’ styles (which I like for the coverage), but they are too close to my eyes, and my long eyelashes touch the lenses. Trust me, having something touch your eyelash constantly sucks. With traditional frames, I could adjust the eye-rests to space them properly. Blue eyes, very light ones. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/16 "2007-11-16T16:44:36Z")
I didn’t consistently wear sunglasses until maybe ten years ago (I’m forty). And I grew up in Florida and now live in Texas - both not exactly gloomy places. I also have pale skin, red hair, and blue eyes. The sun just never bothered me that much unless I was someplace like the beach. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/17 "2007-11-16T16:48:04Z")
[QUOTE=ZipperJJ] Most adults I know, including myself, can’t even keep track of sunglasses. I don’t think it’s financially responsible to buy them for kids. 🆒 [/QUOTE] This always puzzled me. I have been wearing the same pair\* of sunglasses since **1976** , fer crying out loud! How hard is it to take care of them? \*Ray-Ban gray-tinted Aviators, if any cares. ---
**Author:** ![FourPaws](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e0b2c6/32.png) [@FourPaws](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FourPaws)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/18 "2007-11-16T16:57:53Z")
My son started wearing them occasionally at about age three. He wears them quite often now; he originally started wearing them in the summer when we’d go out on the boat – 40mph-plus speeds without a windshield will make your eyes tear. We bought a SeaDoo last year and again, same thing. He’s now 8 and I will occasionally find him wearing them absentmindedly when I pick him up from daycare – at 1730 here when I pick him up, it is pitch black. As far as being to pricey and losing them? I don’t think so. I buy mine by the dozen. > **[X-Loop Oval Men's Sunglasses Wholesale XL03MIX](https://www.olympiceyewear.com/xl03mix.html)** > > These ultra thin, contemporary X-Loop sunglasses are ideal sports eyewear for both women and men. $25.00/doz plus shipping, etc. Generally equals about $40.00 per dozen delivered. That’s about $3.33 per pair. I literally go through a dozen a year. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/19 "2007-11-16T17:14:06Z")
Does the color of one’s eye make a difference? If what’s bothering someone is the light entering the eye, would any of it that would otherwise go in be absorbed by a dark eye vs a light eye? ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680/20 "2007-11-16T17:33:17Z")
My kids have sunglasses. I usually make them wear them during the summer if we’re going to be outdoors for long periods of time (i.e., the beach), but otherwise they don’t wear them much. Pretty much never during the winter. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-kids-wear-sunglasses/426680.md?page=2)