Throughout history, left-handers were often forced, sometimes violently, to use their right hand. Prejudice against people with a dominant left hand has existed for centuries in various cultures.
Left-handers possess a number of amazing advantages, including a higher level of creativity. But why were they reeducated in the past (and in some cultures still are)?
According to research, left-handers make up about 10 to 12 percent of the population. These individuals continue to face practical difficulties in everyday life. After being forced to use their right hand in childhood, more left-handers are striving to relearn how to use their natural left.
Historically, many left-handers were trained to use their right hand, as it was believed that frequent use of the left hand was associated with a risk of developing mental illnesses in the future. Unfortunately, such methods often led to the opposite results: left-handed children who were forced to use their right hand frequently developed issues such as stuttering and attention disorders.
Moreover, left-handers were often associated with various superstitions. An article in TIME published in 1969 stated that since the Middle Ages, strict Catholics saw a connection between “left-handedness” and the devil.
From a practical standpoint, left-handers find it difficult to adapt in a right-handed world. Most everyday tools, from guitars to gaming controllers, are designed with the needs of right-handers in mind.
In Japanese culture, it has historically been considered a curse to be left-handed. According to JapanTimes.co, there is a belief in Japan that left-handers have a harder time finding partners. This is why many parents reeducated — and some still continue to reeducate — their left-handed children.
Why Do People Become Left-Handed?
A study published in the journal eLife showed that the dominant hand is determined by genetic differences in the spinal cord even before birth. This has nothing to do with the development of mental illnesses or the devil.
