The Legacy of Forcing Right-Handedness: A Personal Journey

Do you remember when left-handed people were mistreated in schools and required to use their right hand to write?

Yes, there was a historical stigma against left-handedness, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In many schools, children who were left-handed were often forced to use their right hand for writing and other activities. This practice stemmed from cultural beliefs that associated left-handedness with negative traits such as clumsiness or even bad luck. Teachers and parents frequently believed that left-handedness was something to be corrected, leading to various forms of mistreatment including physical punishment or ridicule. Over time, as understanding of left-handedness improved and attitudes shifted, these practices were largely abandoned. Today, left-handedness is accepted as a normal variation in human handedness, and many schools accommodate left-handed students with appropriate tools and resources.

Ever hear of a guy named Adolf Hitler? He was forced to be right-handed. There was an old lady substitute school teacher who would take the pencil out of my left hand, slap it, and put it in my right hand. Not a good idea, but yes they used to force right-handedness. If you're interested, look up famous left-handed people. You may be shocked.

The abuse started in kindergarten. I was 5 years old but I do remember using my left hand and being told not to use it. At first, the teacher asked me nicely but later began to carry me around under her arm like a sack of potatoes because I could not use my right hand. The abuse continued in grade 1 and 2. I was hit with a wooden ruler every time I used my left hand and was told I was evil and stupid for not being able to use my right hand. I was the last child to graduate from using a pencil to being allowed to use a pen, and I was embarrassed constantly in front of the class for being left-handed. At recess, other children made fun of me. I didn’t tell my parents for some reason—that I still can’t fathom. Maybe because I had been made to feel ashamed of being left-handed.

One morning, I broke down and told my mom that I would never be able to use my right hand. She went to the Principal’s office and raised hell. The abuse stopped, but the emotional damage was already done. I had a stuttering problem because of the trauma. I was a sensitive child who was almost completely broken because of these sick teachers. This was not a Catholic school, just a public school in Etobicoke, Ontario, in the late 1950s.

My story is just one of many unfortunate testimonials from left-handed individuals who were subjected to right-handed normalization practices. It is important to recognize and teach about the historical and ongoing stigma against left-handedness, which continues to impact individuals, particularly in some schools and workplaces. By raising awareness and promoting acceptance, we can ensure a more inclusive society for all individuals regardless of their handedness.

Keywords: left-handedness, historical stigma, teacher abuse, right-handed normalization