Humans are significantly different from other species when it comes to childhood and development. Humans take roughly three years longer to mature than any other species. This extra time and extra development shows that we have adapted to an increase in the complexity of social and behavioral competencies needed to function in adulthood and reproduction. The differences in the physical, and social development of boys and girls are influenced by adult sex differences in sexual selection, intra-sexual competition, and parental investment.
Physical development results in the physical changes associated with adult reproduction, as well as those physical changes that directly facilitate intra-sexual competition or influence mate choice. Men go through prolonged puberty to grow larger than women. …
