There are various theories on why human childhood is longer than that of other species’. A NY Times Science article examines some newer explanations of the expanded period of dependency that most of us enjoy. The traditional theory attributes the long childhood to our larger brains which need time to be “programmed” and learn survival skills. Thus, childhood is all about education, something modern society has certainly forced upon us with years of school. But after studying hunting-gathering cultures, some anthropologists have proposed that our long childhood is related to our long lifespan and that there are benefits to us not becoming adults quickly. Children learn quickly and can hunt as well as their elders, except for physical differences. As humans lengthened lifespans with better nutrition and hunting skills, childhood also lengthened. “With early mortality reduced, there was a good chance that the investment in an extended phase of juvenile growth would pay off in higher reproductive fitness later.” Of course, opinions are mixed, but the theories are interesing to consider. I always accepted our lengthy childhood, and never considered it as a curiosity.