Writing with Both Hands

 

When I was a child in Japan, there was a strong societal tendency to correct naturally left-handed children to become right-handed. As a result, left-handed students were extremely rare in my school classrooms. One reason for this was the everyday inconvenience faced by left-handed individuals. For instance, the stroke order and writing style of Japanese scripts—such as kanji and hiragana—are designed for right-handed writing. Using the left hand often results in awkward letter forms and lower evaluations from teachers. Because of this, I was made to write with my right hand in elementary school, though I vaguely remember disliking the experience. Common tools like scissors and can-openers are also designed primarily for right-handed use, making life even more inconvenient for left-handed people. Today in Japan, the practice of forcing children to switch hands has declined significantly, thanks in part to findings in neuroscience. In my case, however, the correction may have worked out for the better—I can now write with both hands. When brainstorming ideas for essays, I often use my left hand to draw shapes or jot down thoughts. This seems to stimulate the creative functions of the right brain and feels more natural and effective. I still find it curious how even seemingly negative experiences can carry unexpected benefits.

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