Left-handed People

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I am right-handed. So is my husband, my mother, my grandparents, and most of the people I know. In fact, I only remember knowing one kid in school that was left-handed. Supposedly, only about 12-15% of the population is left-handed, and this is an increase from a few generations ago when it was believed that only 10% were left-handed. I was always fascinated by the one "lefty" that I knew. She got to buy special notebooks that had the spiral on the right side of the paper, special scissors, and even her handwriting was perfectly straight, unlike my angled cursive that was drilled into me by my second grade teacher. She was unique just for this one feature. A teacher explained to me somewhere around the fifth grade that each side of our brain controlled the opposite side of our body, and each side was responsible for different functions, like creativity. Immediately, I began to imagine how different this girl's brain was and what unique things she must be able to do because her brain was wired differently.

Society did label left-handed people as being mentally slow and physically uncoordinated. It is true that the number of left-handed people seems to rise among those with Down Syndrome and other special needs, but the number also rises among those with ulcerative colitis, so there goes that theory. MENSA boasts that 20% of their membership is made up of left-handed people, and some of the greatest musicians, like Jimi Hendrix, are a part of the "lefty club." Left-handed people appear clumsy, but wouldn't you if the zipper on your pants was backwards, your back pocket was on the opposite side, and the pen at the bank teller window was attached on the wrong side? They're living in a butt-backwards world! There are huge athletic advantages to being a "lefty." As my eleven-year old son will tell you, a left-handed batter is actually one step closer to first base and a left handed pitcher is better at keeping the runner from stealing second. The athletic advantage goes all the way back to the cavemen who could win a fight with a right-handed neanderthal just with a surprise left-hook.

Most children begin showing a preference for one hand at about 7-9 months, but it is not unusual for them to continue to use either hand even as late as 4-5 years. Genetics play a big part, as well as any preference in their environment. My youngest son is 21 months old and still shows no preference. It is fascinating to watch him begin eating with one hand, and then switch hands for no apparent reason. He may switch hands during a meal half a dozen times. He draws, throws toys, and kicks you when he is mad with either side. This seems to be a huge advantage for him now that he is in the "Terrible Two's", as I cannot just grab one hand to stop him; I have to grab both hands. For all the new challenges that his talent has brought into our house, I cannot help but hope that this is some glimpse into a unique intelligence that will turn him into a famous artist or scientist one day. Then again, maybe tomorrow he will just start using his right hand exclusively and he'll still have a unique intelligence just because he is my son.