Is hardening off really needed?

I'm just curious what your guy's opinion about hardening off indoor plants for outdoors. Is it really needed? Why couldn't you just put them in a shady spot for a few days. I planted indoor seed plants outdoors after two weeks of growing into full sun and they loved it. Would there be a difference if it were a foot tall or plus plant sized plant? Couldn't you just keep them in their containers in a spot that recieves 4 or less hours of direct sun light a day.

i plant directly outside from indoor and sometimes my plants flower at first then re-veg or usually they just start growing and do fine.

I put mine directly outside. with zero hardening off. havent had a problem.

some plants will just fall over and death will sure set in if just put outside after being indoors...this is why we harden them off

imo it depends on strain.. some strains do well going directly outdoors while others don't take as kindly to it. I agree with just putting them out in a shady spot that only gets about 4-5hrs of sun light per day is fine and leaving them out all night is fine. Some people bring them in at night personally i think its just a hassle. After like 3 days or so its fine to move them out in full sunlight and plant em in the ground.

I harden my plants not to get them used to sunlight but to the cold. Alaska grower here (=