There have been tons of studies done on hand dominance. Scientists aren’t exactly sure what causes a person to use one hand vs the other, but research points to a complex
collaboration between genes and environment. While no exact set of
“Lefty Genes” have been discovered, there is a
genetic component that determines right versus Left-Hand dominance, and
it’s called the LRRTM1 gene. People with this gene are more likely to be
lefties. And researchers have
found different brain wirings in Righties vs. Lefties.
So, obviously it's no secret that I am left handed. And if it was, well the cat is outta the bag now right?! LOL I am VERY VERY left handed. I can
do almost nothing with my right hand alone. It is basically my left
hand's bitch. It jus assists my DOMINANT hand with every tasks. It's
only job in life is to make my left hand's job easier. Any other lefties
feel this way?! My whole life I've found it to be jus a smidge more difficult to do things in a right handed world. There’s no denying it. Left-handers are the odd men out. Sure, lefties make up only 10% of the population — but, frankly,
it seems like society has forgotten about them. Right-handed gadgets,
awkwardly designed desks, cooking tools that only fit comfortably in your
right hand (now that’s just wrong!). Not to mention that there has always been social stigmas and/or myths attached to being a left hand dominant person...aka "Lefty" or "SouthPaw." So all you Lefties, SouthPaw lovin' Righties, and Ambidextrous folks out
there...It’s time to brush up on your left-handed knowledge and help put
an end to lefty discrimination once and for all!!!
Allow me to elaborate-
People used to think that we as "Lefties" were more likely to have dyslexia as well as other learning disabilities, schizophrenia, and a stutter. Some doctors believed that left-handed people were more
likely to struggle with breast cancer, allergies, and asthma or become
alcoholics.
But thank God those myths were disproved. It seems though that some personality
traits among left-handed people hold true.
-The speech centers of right-handers and most left-handers are in the
left brain. The left brain focuses on syntax and order, while the right
brain monitors context and emotions.
Lefty Personality Traits:
- Leadership. About 66% of American presidents in the last
30 years were left-handed men. Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Ronald
Reagan, and Gerald Fold were all left-handed presidents. Barack Obama
and John McCain are both left-handed.
- Quick thinkers.
Studies have shown that lefties are “exceptional.” Australian research
shows that left-handed people think more quickly when playing computer
games or sports. Left-handed people also tend to earn more money.
- Sexuality. Research from Canada reveals this interesting quality of left-handed people: they’re more likely to be homosexual
- Independence: Some experts believe left-handed people are
more independent because they’ve had to get along in a world that’s not
made for them. Dr Peters says that lefties are “slightly more resistant
to social pressures, to have more of an independent streak.”
- Adaptability:
Canadian research shows that left-handed people are more adaptable than
right-handed people. That is, a lefty can use her right hand to do
tasks much easier than a righty can use his hand. Left-handed people
seem to be able to switch over more easily.
Generally, SouthPaws are thought to be more flexible, highly intelligent, and more resilient than right-handed people. We are better at divergent thinking, a method of idea generation that explores many possible solutions. People who use their left hands tend to be more affected by fear than people who use their right hands. Mixed-handed
people are more likely to alter their beliefs as they get new
information, making them better able to see both sides of the story.
- Left-handed people can see more easily underwater, and also usually excel in sports such as swimming, fencing and tennis.
- Pioneers in our society are often left-handed, including four out of five designers of the original Macintosh, one of four Apollo astronauts, and countless leaders from Ronald Reagan to King George IV of England.
- Left-handed folks have an advantage when it comes to fist
fights. Nobody knows exactly why, but perhaps because that first swing
from an unexpected hand makes all the difference!
Being left-handed is something to be proud of because it provides
you with a unique skill set and traits that most people do not possess.
Mark your calendar — August 13 is International Left-Hander’s Day.
