Being Left-Handed
Brain organisation
No-one has come up with a definitive reason for WHY some people are left-handed, but about 13% of the population around the world are, and it is thought to be genetic - it definitely runs in families. Researchers have recently located a gene they believe "makes it possible to have a left-handed child " so if you have that gene, one or more of your children may be left-handed, whereas without it, you will only have right-handers - sorry! The good news is, that if you are left-handed yourself, you have that gene and will pass it on through the generations!
The way the brain works is incredibly complex, but this simplified explanation will give you some understanding of where our left-hand dominance comes from. The brain is "cross-wired" so that the left hemisphere controls the right handed side of the body and vice-versa and hand dominance is connected with brain dominance on the opposite side - which is why we say that only left-handers are in their right minds!

The left hemisphere (RIGHT HAND CONTROL) controls Speech, Language, Writing, Logic, Mathematics, Science, this is the LINEAR THINKING MODE.
The right hemisphere (LEFT HAND CONTROL) controls Music, Art, Creativity, Perception, Emotions, Genius, this is the HOLISTIC THINKING MODE
Effects of right brain dominance
This brain dominance makes left-handers more likely than right handers to be creative and visual thinkers. This is supported by higher percentages of left-handers than normal in certain jobs and professions - music and the arts, media in general. (See the results of our Lifestyle Survey of Left-Handers for our detailed findings) Left-handers are also generally better at 3-dimensional perception and thinking, leading, for example, to more left-handed architects than normal. Left-handers are also usually pretty good at most ball sports and things involving hand-to-eye co-ordination.
The view that left-handers are clumsy and awkward is not down to their natural abilities, but being forced to use right-handed tools and machinery which is completely back-to-front for them.
To find out more, and for some hints and tips for getting the most out of a right-handed world, visit the FAQ section at Anything Left-Handed.
If you are interested in the latest research and findings on left-handedness, you can buy the excellent book Right-Hand, Left Hand by Chris McManus in the online shop.
9th May 2008 - 5:34am
my boyfriend is left handed and he is a idiot who is obbsessed with his camera.
4th May 2008 - 9:08pm
its just that all left handed people i know are linear minded. my family is known for painting and art, were dont have left handed people in our family. and ive always heard the opposite from this diagram
4th May 2008 - 9:04pm
actually it's the other way around. im right handed, bad at math, im really good at drawing and artistic things. left handed people are the more linear. you shouldn't make up facts.
1st May 2008 - 8:59pm
im so glade to be left handed its sad though becase the right handers dont understand
23rd April 2008 - 2:21pm
it is great being left handed
me and my aunt is the only one left handed and i play the guitar better than my cuz aand he is right handed and
he has been playing longer than me
21st April 2008 - 8:55am
sorry to the people who see my comment because my english very weak...so maybe the sentence is incorrect but i hope u all will understand what i want to say ^^
21st April 2008 - 8:41am
I was born on October 20th...I am a lefty too...can you all tell me that u all clever in mathematics?
19th April 2008 - 9:43am
In response to Daivd:
"When i have kids im gonna make sure they are lefty,even if their born righty im gonna teach them how to do everything left handed."
I hope you are kidding. Try spending a day doing everything with your right hand and let us know how you feel.
16th April 2008 - 8:08am
Whoa.. I was born on August 13.. its kinda lucky considering im also a lefty.. and lefty rocks..
16th April 2008 - 8:08am
Whoa.. I was born on August 13.. its kinda lucky considering im also a lefty.. and lefty rocks..
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