Living in a Right-Handed World

Left-handed people face many hardships in different aspects of their lives, simply because they are left-handed. Their lives are also impacted because of the way that society views the concept of being left-handed.

Left-handed people suffer in many aspects of their lives because right-handed people, the majority of the world's population, do not understand how different left-handed people are and how they see and do things. 

There are four main aspects in which left-handed people are affected. Left-handed people are affected physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially.

Throughout history left-handed people have generally been perceived and categorized as weaker and lower than right-handed people. A few choices adjectives to describe left-handed people, which have been used for centuries, include: outcasts, clumsy, unlucky, deformed, and "lacking social polish" (Healey, pg. 14). The hardest thing, possibly, for a left-handed person, is to adapt to or grow up in the world around them; let's face it, the world is built for right-handed people.

Most studies on left-handed people show that the likeliness of a child being left-handed is increased by the handedness of its parents (Healey, pg. 12). There really is no accepted theory why people are left-handed. Perhaps scientists will make a breakthrough about this someday.

Perhaps it would be a good idea to tell you what I mean by left-handed people. I am talking about people who write, eat, brush their teeth, and draw specifically using their left hand, but may use their right hand for a few other tasks, such as throwing a ball or pointing (Healey, pg. 12).

Now, let's talk about advantages and disadvantages that most left-handed people face. Sorry, one more thing before we move on. Let me show you that not all left-handed people are ordinary. Some famous left-handed world leaders are: Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte, Harry Truman, and Queen Victoria (Lindsay, pgs. 7, 9). Bach was said to be left-handed, as well as Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Paul McCartney, and Beatles' star Ringo Starr (Lindsay, pgs. 9, 11). Just a few more famous left-handed people: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dick van Dyke, Marilyn Monroe, Babe Ruth, Billy the Kid, and Jack the Ripper (Lindsay, pgs. 13-14, 16, 22). These famous people had to face many hardships because of their handedness.

We live in a right-handed world. Daily tasks are most easily performed with the right hand. Left-handed people have to adapt to this right-handed world, just to live.

Left-handed people may have a hard time with almost any tool. Power saws are dangerous for left-handed people to use, because they are meant to be operated using the right hand. Wrist watches, scissors, and can openers are also difficult for left-handed people to operate (Healey, pg. 7).

Personally, I think the hardest things about being left-handed are using notebooks, since the binding is on the left side, and driving, since the gears are operated by the right side of the body. Also, what right-handed people view as simple tasks can be difficult for left-handed individuals. Eating, writing, drawing, and reading may be the most difficult tasks.

Let us look at some disadvantages that may affect left-handed people intellectually, emotionally, or socially. It is not known why but left-handed children seen more likely to suffer from learning disabilities; left-handed children are known to have more speech, learning, and motor skills disabilities than right-handed children (Healey, pg. 57). It is not surprising that I had to take speech lessons throughout my time in elementary school. Some other problems that left-handed children may face are stammering, stuttering, learning delays, are slightly more accident prone, and are more prone to allergies and asthma (Healey, pgs. 137, 139, 147).

A few other disadvantages, that do not quite fit into a category, are: in some countries, cars are driven on the right side of the road; bases go from right to left in baseball; postage stamps are placed in the right corner of the envelope; books and publications are opened on the right; we generally do things in a clockwise manner; and most desks are right-handed (Healey, pg. 2).

Left-handed people sure do have a lot of difficulties and struggles in this world. Perhaps they have a few advantages.. It is believed that left-handed people are "most likely to flourish and excel intellectually, athletically, and emotionally" (Healey, pg. 107). What an interesting concept! Is it the only advantage that left-handed people have? Left-handed people have an easier time getting their tickets at toll booths.

The bulk of advantages for left-handed people may be seen in sports. Left-handed baseball pitchers are seen as amazing and are prized players; basketball players who approach baskets from the left have the element of surprise. Left-handed football quarterbacks are also prized players (Healey, pgs 113-120).

There are several positive characteristics of left-handed people that just do not fall into any kind of category. Left-handed people are also known for their adaptability. They are also viewed as resilient and versatile (Healey, pgs. 147-148). Special abilities, perceiving things in the world, is also seen as a thing that left-handed people are generally with (Healey, pg. 148). Writing words backwards, known as mirror writing, is said to be easy for left-handed people (Haislet, pg. 15).

Left-handed people have struggled for years and have had to fight against ridicule from other people for years on end. Perhaps now that you are aware of some of the hardships and disadvantages that left-handed people face, you can help stop the ridicule and struggles. Left-handed people are people too. Let us all work together to build a better world, a world where everyone is kind and understands the needs and hardships of others.

Love,

D. J. Lathrop

Works Cited:

- Haislet, Barbara. Why Are Some People Left-Handed?. Creative Education, Inc. Mankato, Minnesota. 1981.

- Healey, Jane. Loving Lefties: How to Raise Your Left-Handed Child in a Right-Handed World. LifeTime Media, Inc. New York, New York. 2001.

- Lindsay, Ray. The Left-Handed Book. Franklin Watts. New York, New York. 1980.