To the left: The ups and downs of being left-handed

Published on Wed Aug 8 2018 in Community

Every 13th of August is set aside to celebrate a special group of people. Even though they are relatively small in number, chances are someone you know is part of this minority. We’re of course talking about people who were born left-handed!

Being a leftie comes with challenges, but might also provide some great benefits, too. Let’s take a look at the science and history behind southpaws.

Why some people are left-handed

Only 10% of people are left-handed, but scientists are still working out exactly why this happens, and why there are so many more right-handers. What we do know is that this preference is likely genetic. In fact, there may be up to 40 different genes that contribute to whether someone is right- or left-handed.

It’s not just our hands that are lopsided, either. People also tend to favour one eye over the other, as well as their ears and feet. And just because you’re left-handed, that doesn’t mean that you’re a total leftie—40% of people are left-eared, 30% left-eyed, and 20% are left-footed.1

A right-hander’s world

Since lefties have always been a minority (examinations of Neanderthal skeletons show that left-handers made up about 10% of the population, the same as today2), many cultures developed biases against southpaws.

At the most extreme, children were once discouraged from using their left-hand for eating, writing and other tasks. Today, lefties may still find it difficult to use tools and other objects that are overwhelming designed with righties in mind. Things like scissors, school desks, fountain pens, a computer mouse and cork screws can pose a challenge for left-handers.

A cultural preference for right-handedness is also seen in many languages. The Latin word for left, sinistra, was passed down to English as the word “sinister,” where it describes something or someone that is evil or threatening. In French, the word for right (droit) means straight or upstanding, whereas left (gauche) can also mean awkward or clumsy. Similarly, negative associations with the word left can also be found in several other languages, including Italian and German.

The benefits of being a leftie

But being left-handed isn’t all bad. In some ways, southpaws have an advantage over their right-handed peers.

Sport is one area where left-handed people can shine. A recent analysis found that in certain sports, being a leftie is a competitive advantage. Top cricket bowlers, baseball pitchers and table tennis players are more likely to be left-handed compared to the general population. Researchers think an element of surprise may play to a leftie’s advantage when they face off against an opponent.3

Left-handers might also be more creative than right-handers. Whilst this is still up for debate, a few scientific studies have linked strong “divergent thinking” scores with left-handers. This ability is tied to “out of the box” thinking and creative problem solving, both of which are important factors in creativity.4

Famous southpaws

Being a left-hander in a right-hand world may be frustrating at times, but you’re not alone! An impressive list of celebrities, personalities and historical figures are also left-handed, including:

  • Albert Einstein (scientist)
  • Annie Lenox (musician)
  • Sir Bob Charles (athlete)
  • Nicole Kidman (actor)
  • Vincent Van Gogh (artist)
  • Oprah Winfrey (entrepreneur)

Celebrate being left-handed

Being a leftie is a unique trait that comes with many ups and downs. This Left Handers Day, take pride in being a southpaw! Being left-handed sets you apart in many ways that scientists are still figuring out. And who knows—they may soon discover a secret “super power” that makes being a leftie even more special!

Are you a left-hander? How will you be celebrating Left Handers Day? Share with us on Facebook!

 

About Author: Momentum Life is a leading provider of Life insurance and Funeral insurance in New Zealand.

 

1. BBC Future, The mystery of why left-handers are so much rarer
2. Live Science, Ancient Humans Were Mostly Right-Handed, Too
3. ABC, Left-handed sportspeople have greater advantage in cricket, baseball and table tennis
4. Brain and Cognition, Hemispheric connectivity and the visual–spatial divergent-thinking component of creativity

 


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