<p>Cursive is faster...</p>
<p>Also, I think it's an intersting mental exercise. For example, when a child is taught cursive, it is like a new art form; perhaps the first art he has ever been introduced to that has a tangible purpose--communication of thoughts which can easily be understood by any other English-speaker. Over the years, assuming the child continues to use cursive, he learns all the nuances of the art. He learns the purpose of the placement of parts of letters. He learns the proper slope and even develops a style all his own.</p>