Lefthanders: Does it still feel wrong?

If the left half of the brain controls the right half of the body, then only left-handed people are in the right mind.” — W.C. Fields

Lefthanded people commonly called ‘lefties’ are people who are more comfortable using their left hand rather than their right hand to carry out tasks like writing or eating.

Statistics say that one in every 10 persons is left-handed. Back in time, some societies didn’t consider being left-handed a good thing. There was a widely held notion that ‘being lefthanded is being unlucky’. For instance, in Latin, the word “sinistra” originally meant “left,” but over time, it started to mean something like “evil” or “unlucky.” This idea stuck around and today we have the word “sinister” in English, which still carries a sense of something not quite right.

On the other hand, the right hand has had a different reputation. In many cultures, the word “right” does not just mean the opposite of left. It is often linked with ideas like being correct, fair and having authority. Left-handers sometimes get called “southpaws.” This term comes from baseball. When they play, most baseball fields are set up so that pitchers face west. Left-handed pitchers throw the ball with their hand on the south side of their “southpaw.”

It even exceeded to the point whereby some parents try to switch their children’s hands once they notice they are is left-handed and correct them when they try to use their left hand to give them an object while ignoring the problems that come with it. Trying to change a child’s natural hand preference can be harmful in various ways. It disrupts developmental process, impacting skills like fine motor abilities, coordination and overall cognitive growth. This can lead to emotional distress, making the child feel inadequate and lacking confidence in his abilities.

Additionally, attempting this change may result in psychological effects such as feelings of shame and a sense of not being accepted. Research shows that such efforts are often ineffective in the long run, with the child eventually reverting back to his natural preference. Instead, it is crucial to support and acknowledge a child’s natural handedness, providing appropriate tools and resources. This approach is best for their overall wellbeing and development. If a child faces challenges, seeking professional advice or specialised resources is more beneficial than attempting to enforce a change.

There is proof that being left-handed doesn’t make any individual less important and could change the misconception. Left-handed individuals have achieved success in various fields and their stories can serve as inspiration to show that being left-handed is not a limitation.

Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, wielded his pen with his left hand as he steered the nation through two terms from 2009 to 2017.

Leonardo da Vinci, the unparalleled Renaissance polymath, painted masterpieces, conceived ingenious inventions and pursued knowledge with his left hand leading the way.

Oprah Winfrey, a media magnate, talk show doyenne and philanthropic powerhouse, has always been known for her left-handed prowess.

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and a titan of the tech world, charted the course of the digital revolution with his left hand as his guiding force.

Jimi Hendrix, the virtuoso guitarist whose music transcended generations, played his right-handed guitar with an unorthodox left-handed flair.

Julia Roberts, the luminous star of Hollywood’s firmament, graced the silver screen with her left-handed artistry.

Mark Zuckerberg, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Facebook, shaped the digital landscape with his left-handed ingenuity.

And then there’s Neil Armstrong, the intrepid astronaut who took that historic first step onto the lunar surface, his left hand poised for greatness.

Different parts of the world and times have had different ideas about lefties. Some thought it was special and creative, while others thought it was strange or bad luck. A long time ago, in places like Europe, people sometimes tried to make left-handed people use their right hand instead. In some places where Islam is practised, the left hand was thought of as not clean because it is used for washing so they used their right hand for eating and greeting. In parts of Asia, they were curious about left-handedness, and in Japan, they even thought it showed creativity. In some parts of Africa, people thought it was better to use the right hand for giving and receiving things. In ancient times, some people thought being left-handed was not normal and maybe even a little untrustworthy, like in ancient Rome.

Discrimination or social challenges related to left-handedness can persist into adulthood. Some left-handed individuals report instances where they were labelled as rude or faced pressure to conform to right-handed norms. This can be seen in everyday interactions, such as handling objects or performing tasks.

Reflecting on this story, it is clear that embracing one’s natural handedness can lead to personal growth and self-discovery. We also have ambidextrous people. These are people who are able to use both their left and right hands with equal skill and ease. An ambidextrous individual can perform tasks such as writing, drawing, or using tools effectively with either hand. This term is also sometimes used more broadly to refer to someone who is adept or skilled in using both sides of their body or being versatile in their abilities.

Left-handed people are noticed because they use their left hand in a world where most use their right. Some find it interesting or even tricky, especially when everyday tools are mostly made for right-handed people while ambidextrous people are really impressive because they can use both hands equally well. This talent can make people admire and wonder how they do it. Even though ambidextrous individuals are not as common as lefties, their skill is seen as something truly exceptional. While both left-handed and ambidextrous people catch people’s attention, they are appreciated for different things. Being left-handed is recognised as a unique trait with a special place in history and culture while being ambidextrous is admired for its exceptional versatility.

Why most people are right-handed and others are left-handed is a bit of a puzzle. Scientists think there’s something in our genes that decides it. In other words, if you are left-handed, you are born that way, and it might run in families. So, it is a mix of nature and genes that make someone a lefty!

Today, most people are getting to understand and want to learn more about left-handed people to stop the misconception. They don’t try to change left-handers anymore; people are becoming kinder and more open-minded about it. Now, all around the world, being left-handed is seen as something special till the misconception fades away and now every August 13 is a day dedicated to celebrating lefties.

 

• Adebomi is a Mass Communication student of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo.

 

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