If I ask you, "Which hand do you use?" I am sure the majority of you will reply: "Right hand, of course!" Chances are you never even thought about it. Then again, if you are left-handed, you would have given the question plenty of thought and might have wondered: "Why I am different to others?" You even might have been teased as a 'leftie' in school.In our culture left hand is not considered auspicious. Unless you are a leftie, people neither like being given things from your left hand, nor receiving anything with their left hand. Left hand is not preferred for puja, while receiving 'prasad', or writing or eating food as it is thought of as unclean.
In many cultures left-handedness is still considered a negative attribute. In fact, left-handed was called "sinister" even a century ago. All this cultural baggage not only frustrates left-handed children but also their parents: children for not understanding the supposed implication of using right hand instead of left; and parents, because they think they failed to teach their child to use their right hand as their dominant hand. They perhaps tried relentlessly to change their child's habit, finally giving up, thinking: "What difference does it make which hand they use?"
Well parents, you will be surprised to know it does make a difference. They are special people. They are different not just because they are left-handed. There is more to it.
To start with, they think differently. Now I think that's cool. As you are well aware right-hand is controlled by the left side of the brain and is in charge of speech, language, writing, logic, math and science. Left-hand is controlled by the right side of the brain, responsible for music, art, perception and emotion. Simply put, a right-hander's brain organization is usually rigid whereas a left-hander's brain is more flexible.
Left-handers are constantly adjusting to the world of right-handers with equipment, appliances, and tools meant for right-handers, including the awkwardly made chairs that have extension of a table attached to it. These children also feel awkward using their 'ulto haat' while eating at social gathering or writing in class.
Generally, life is difficult for lefties, but this is not always a disadvantage. Studies show left-handed students excel at architecture, music and math. Lefties also have quite an advantage in some sports. In fencing, left-handers win more matches than right-handers. Similarly, in boxing, left-hander fighters can often be frightening for their opponents. Other sports like cricket and tennis allow the southpaw plenty of advantages. Famous tennis players like John McEnroe and Rafael Nadal are successful left-handers.
Given the opportunity, lefthanders are also good at public speaking. After all four out of past seven US presidents are left-handed, including Barak Obama and Bill Clinton. Closer home, Indian cine icon Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek are both famously left-handed. That is not the end of the list. Some of the greatest artists including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Rembrandt were also left-handers.
The number of left-handers is about10 percent of the population. After this discussion about left-handedness, I know parents are curious to know when children become left-handed.
Don't be surprised, children become lefties as soon as they start doodling: as early as seven to nine months. While growing they use both their hands as their brain switches between use of left and right hand. This is not an indication that a child will become ambidextrous (able to use both hands). Nor does it indicate a child's preference for either hand. So the natural question is, "When do they show sign of hand preference?"
Under normal conditions, children will make final distinction only after they start school. Along with this comes the frustration of not being able to use everyday items like scissors, cameras, rulers, computer mice and watches, mass-produced for right-handed users. Rest assured, majority of these children become ambidextrous as they grow, differing only when it comes to writing. As parents it's up to us to try and make life easier for them.
We can help increase their comfort by switching the settings on computers to make a mouse of cursor more leftie-friendly. In some developed countries, there is already more investment in things for left-handed people like scissors and smudge-free pencils and pens.
So, parents must be wondering right now: Why are some people left-handed while most people are right-handed? This is still a mystery. Simply put, left-handers are born that way. So the smart thing to do would be to get used to it and let your child feel proud at being different.
Finally, have you ever wondered what it would be like to be left-handed, or if you are left-handed, to be right-handed? Why not try using your non-dominant hand for chores, for at least an hour a day, and you will know the difference. I know even the simplest of things become complicated. Amazingly, there are some exceptions, as some people are ambidextrous even when it comes to writing. Like Mahatma Gandhi! Won't that be fun? Think about it!
The author is an educationist and author of several children's books
usha@pokharel.net
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