Heather asked:

I am not sure if this ranks as a philosophical question or not, but here goes. I am wanting to know
how the way humans raise their children as opposed to all other species on the planet affects the
human race. Since many human parents will take care of their children for many years past maturity
and continue to support in many ways after the children leave, does this weaken their ability to
become strong and independent?

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It is more a psychological than a philosophical question, but it does, I think, contain value questions
which are, I suppose, philosophical. Anyway, forgetting about division of labor, I will try it.

I don't think there is a universal answer to this question. It would, it seems to me depend on the
individual, and also on the particular circumstances. I think all parent want, or at least should want,
their children to be strong and independent, and "stand on their own two feet." They will have to,
eventually. But it may be that some children take a longer time to mature than others; or that although
a child is mature, he or she nevertheless continues to need help from his parents because of the kind
of career he or she is being educated for. After all, a career in medicine, for instance, takes a lot of
time and also money. So, as in so many cases having to do with people, just as one shoe size does
not fit all, so one answer will not fit all. General rules cannot take the place of individual judgements.

Kenneth Stern