Reimagining Our Relationship with the Sun

It feels like just yesterday when kids could be found playfully frolicking with sprinklers in the backyard. Nowadays, we inhabit a world overshadowed by anxiety, where the mere sight of the sun, after its long absence, doesn’t exactly spark joy.

Crazy as it sounds, many of us now view the sun as a bigger threat than nuclear war, famine, or even economic turmoil. It’s troubling, really. When we find ourselves tossing and turning, it’s often due to worries about UV exposure, skin cancer, aging, and a slew of other fears. Aren’t we supposed to savor life in the light rather than hiding in the shadows?

Interestingly, there’s a notion that our ancestors only got tanned when they were stranded in deserts. Perhaps it’s a dramatic way to illustrate our point, but a little poetic perspective can make things lively and relatable.

But let’s be honest; there’s a growing fear of the sun. I’m not particularly fearful myself, nor do I hope you are, yet there are definitely many who are.

Sun Protection in Modern Times

It wasn’t until I had children that I truly noticed how prevalent this fear is. Every time we step outside—be it to a park, beach, or playground—kids are barely exposed, wearing layers of protective gear to shield them from the sun’s rays.

As a child, I don’t remember swim shirts designed to block UV rays. They were nonexistent back then! I hesitate to sound like an “old man,” but it’s curious to consider their sudden emergence.

We frequent the beach almost daily, and as we walk along the shore, it’s hard not to notice the many kids adorned in swimsuits along with neon long-sleeve tops, even in 84-degree weather.

My own children, with their sun-kissed skin, must seem like aliens to those parents meticulously applying SPF over their kids’ outfits. I can’t help but wonder what they think of me.

A Hat for Every Occasion?

Have you ever come across a safari hat—the kind that boasts a wide brim and a flap around the neck meant to shield against intense sun? You’d likely recognize it from old adventure films set in the Sahara.

Upon witnessing mothers laboriously placing those hats on their kids at the playground, I can’t help but think I’ll never see my children sport such a hat while swinging or sliding.

We acknowledge the reality of skin cancer, and I can’t imagine anyone enjoying the process of applying aloe vera after a sunburn. Yet, I have to admit, I appreciate the soothing scent of aloe and how it calms my sun-exposed skin.

However, the scenes I’m referencing don’t unfold in the extreme climates of the Mojave Desert or on a sweltering day in the Arabian Peninsula. This is all happening in northern Michigan, where the temperatures are milder and the sun is not as fierce.

Our genetic makeup varies widely. I once spotted a kid on the beach with vivid red hair and porcelain skin. My little ones have dark hair and a touch of bronze, which might give them a slight edge against the sun. I’m aware; still, they’re not entirely impervious, considering their European lineage, which is relatively fair. Back in second grade, I remember red-haired Irish kids who, unlike today’s trend, didn’t wear swim shirts. They did sport sunscreen, though!

Indoor Living and Sun Anxiety

I’ve been pondering this, and perhaps some of this newfound caution towards the sun stems from a culture of excessive safety. But I think the bigger reason for the rise in swimwear and children’s fear of sun exposure relates to how much time we all—kids included—spend indoors, glued to screens.

Simply put, today’s children often spend more time in front of iPads and TVs than enjoying the outdoors. When they finally venture outside, they often burn far too easily from lack of exposure. If you don’t soak up that sun, you’ll undoubtedly pay for it when you do.

It’s amusing to think our ancestors didn’t tan unless they found themselves in the deep desert. Those who lived agrarian lifestyles spent ample time outdoors, so they gradually adapted to stronger sun exposure as the seasons changed, developing tans naturally by summertime.

The Resilience of Nature

Our forebears warmed up to sunlight slowly, much like how you’d preheat an oven for potatoes. Today’s indoor kids, however, are like raw dough tossed carelessly into a hot fryer. No wonder they quickly burn—their fear of sunny days is almost instinctive.

I don’t apply sunscreen on my kids and, surprisingly, they rarely burn. I think it’s largely due to their outdoor lifestyle. They, in many ways, mirror our agrarian ancestors. When spring comes, they gradually get accustomed to those bright rays, and by July, they’re ready to enjoy the beach like typical kids—casual in swimsuits, without the added layers of worry.

I hope I’m not being too harsh on the parents who blanket their kids in protective gear. They’re just trying to do right by their families, just like I am. Our approaches differ, and maybe, well, if kids spent a bit more time outdoors, we could all alleviate some of that sun-induced anxiety.