Alloparenting
Humans have a very long infancy and childhood compared to other species. They depend on the adults around them. Adults need to provide children with shelter, food, water, education, love, and support. Children need people to take care of them for many years until they are older. Parents also pass down culture to their children and teach them all about life. They teach them traditions and how to act in the community. They rely on other people as they grow and learn new things. When the birth parents are not the regular caregivers, alloparents take over this role.