13/8 - WORLD LEFT-HANDED DAY
Left-handers, who represent about 10 percent of the world's population, face unique challenges, benefits, and idiosyncrasies of daily life that most right-handers typically don't even consider. Over the years, there have been many myths and theories—both good and bad—about the what it's like to be left-handed in a right-handed world.
For centuries in many cultures, left-handed people were considered unlucky, weak, crooked, even evil - the word "awful" even comes from the Latin word left. In the Middle Ages, left-handed people were associated with the devil and often accused of witchcraft, and even in the 20th century, left-handed students were forced to learn to use their right hand. Fortunately, perceptions of leftists have improved significantly in recent years.
…the brain works differently
Numerous studies in recent years have shown that left-handed people are more prone to certain conditions, such as dyslexia, ADHD and psychological disorders. While the exact reasons why lefties are more prone to these conditions are still being studied, some scientists believe it has to do with how the brain works differently for righties and lefties
... but there are also health benefits
On the bright side, many studies have shown that being left-handed does not affect overall health. And in some cases, researchers have found that lefties are less prone to developing certain health conditions, including lower rates of ulcers and arthritis.
…there is Creativity in the left hand
The long list of artistic lefties and the strong connection lefties have with the right side of the brain—which is associated with creativity—has reinforced the idea that lefties are more creative. But this connection may be more anecdotal than real. What scientists have found is that lefties tend to be better at divergent thinking, allowing them to think of more possible solutions to a problem than the obvious. It's a skill that can certainly help with creative thinking.
…you can become president more easily
If you're on the left, you might want to consider running for president. Several recent U.S. presidents have been leftists, including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George H. Bush, and Gerald Ford. Ronald Reagan was said to be ambidextrous. Further back, James Garfield, Herbert Hoover and Harry Truman were also left-handed. Some scholars believe that leftists are capable of a broader range of thought, which creates a great presidential quality.
… left-handed people are very good at math
It seems that calculating may be much easier for most lefties than writing, as studies have shown that left-handers are often better at solving math problems. A recent study showed that left-handed students scored between 5% and 10% higher than their right-handed counterparts on complex math tests. Lefties are considered excellent problem solvers because they typically use more of the right side of the brain—which is associated with abstract thought and spatial reasoning—than righties.
… but writing is a challenge
If you've ever watched a left-hander, you'll notice that they often smudge their writing as they move their hand over from left to right - or have to awkwardly twist their hand to avoid it. And let's not forget the discomfort of having to rest your hand on a conventional spiral notebook at school as a leftie. While it's certainly a challenge that can be overcome with practice, the fact that most of us type on the computer these days is a win for sore left-handers.
.. your brain has nothing to do with it
Scientists have long believed that whether you're born left-handed or right-handed is determined by more activity in the left or right hemispheres of our brains during fetal development. But a new study suggests that gene activity in the spinal cord actually determines which hand will be dominant, long before the part of the brain responsible for movement—the motor cortex—is functionally connected to the spinal cord, and could have more to it has to do with environmental factors rather than inherited genetic traits.
...and something very important: left-handed people "do it" better.!
Whenever someone says something negative about a left hander they can always point to a study that shows that lefties have better sex than righties. Of the 10,000 people surveyed, only 15% of right-handers reported being "extremely satisfied" with their sex lives, while 86% of left-handers said they were "extremely satisfied."
… they also have an advantage in sports
Lefties—also known as southpaws—have an advantage over right-handed opponents in some sports, notably singles boxing, tennis, and baseball. Because lefties only make up 10 percent of the population, righties don't train against lefties as often and are less comfortable going up against them. Conversely, leftists tend to be in the minority and can adapt more easily, giving them a competitive advantage.
...left-handedness has its own day
August 13th is International Left-Handed Day. Left-Handers Day was first established in 1976 by the founder of Lefthanders International Inc., Dean R. Campbell, and was created to raise awareness of the pros and cons of being left-handed in a predominantly right-handed world.
... even your dog could be left-handed
A study overseen by James Cook Townsville University veterinary lecturer Janice Lloyd found almost 50 per cent of dogs preferred their left paw. Another fun fact? Kangaroos appear to be almost exclusively left-footed.
…which women have more left-handed babies?
According to a Canadian study, women in their 30s and 40s were much more likely to have left-handed children than younger women. A study of 2,228 college freshmen found that those whose mothers were 40 or older at birth were twice as likely to be left-handed as those whose mothers were 30 or younger.
