This isn't the world's most serious question or anything, but it is something that I am really curious about. Ok. I have this theory. I'm a lefty and I believe that because we have to use our right hand so much throughout our lives (can openers, school pencil sharpeners, scissors, etc.) that we end up being very well-coordinated with our right hands, sometimes as much as our left. I remember breaking my left arm in 3rd grade and having to write with my right hand wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. It wasn't as perfected as my left had become over the years, but I quickly got control of the form and speed of my letters and felt completely comfortable. I have seen so many lefties who are ambidextrous, including myself, that I have to wonder.
I am curious about any lefties out there that are also somewhat ambidextrous. And if there are lefties that aren't ambidextrous at all, please share. Also, anyone who has any opinion on this (including righties) feel free to answer.
2006-12-05 09:00:36 · 6 answers · asked by CheezyYumYums 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I am a righty ( for the most part) and I am semi-ambidextrous. I broke my right wrist when I was 10 and had to learn to use my left hand to write and such. Now I can do almost anything with ease with my left hand. I am also a nurse and with the last job I had, had to do endotrachial suctioning. Well, the way the patients bed and equipment was positioned, I had to use my left hand to control the suction catheter. Which kinda freaked the patients mother out. She said " I thought you used your right hand?" I said I do but I can also use my left when I need to. She couldn't understand how I did that with my left hand. Just something that I think we adapt to, when we have to. Interesting question though!! Have a great day!!!
2006-12-05 09:19:11 · answer #1 · answered by Crystal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You describe the signs of mixed laterality, or mixed dominance, where you have a distinct preference for using your left hand but you have the ability to use the right hand for various tasks. Sometimes it is because we have to do it (where there is no alternative) but mostly it is because we can. Just because you are left-handed doesn't mean you will only use the left hand for all tasks. It just means that your right brain is not quite as dominant for all coordination and motor control functions. Lefties have a higher incidence of mixed laterality than righties.
Being ambidextrous means that you perform all tasks equally well with both hands. Because of this, you can't be "semi-ambidextrous". There are very few true ambidexters in the world.
2006-12-05 13:43:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm a lefty and can't do anything with my right hand that requires any coordination. My boss on the other hand is also a lefty and does some things left-handed and some right-handed. Things he was taught as a child to do right-handed, is still the most comfortable for him.
Even though scissors are made for right-handed people, I have no problem using them in my left hand. And believe me, NO one wants me to have them in my right...hehe. And, by the way, I cannot use left-handed scissors very well. Go figure.
I guess it's really the way you are taught when you are very young and being able to develop your abilities.
Sometimes, being left-handed in a right-handed world seems a little difficult at times. Simple things in life..writing in a wire-ringed notebook, sitting down to a dinner setting (always prepared for right-handed), etc.. But, being the resilient creatures that we are, we deal.
I do one thing right-handed... computer mouse. I have never felt the need to switch it's commands for use by lefties.
Very interesting question, actually.
2006-12-05 09:23:36 · answer #3 · answered by Tara 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am a lefty and semi-ambidextrous. I agree with you. The world is rigged for righties so we have to adapt to everything around us. I bat right handed but I play guitar like a lefty. I'm a mixed bag. It is one of the things that makes me me and I love being a lefty. You should see the way I write, it is really different. I draw crowds.
2006-12-05 09:12:17 · answer #4 · answered by d☻min☺ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm also left handed, and I can tell you there are lots of things that I can do with my right hand. All of the things you mentioned, plus sewing machine, mouse on the computer, eating, using a knife.
My son is left handed, but does a lot of things with his right hand as well. Sometimes he has a hard time choosing which hand to use. (He is 7). I would guess that most people who are left handed and slightly more ambidextrous than most right handed people just because we have to adapt to lots of applicances and what have you that are made for righthanders.
2006-12-05 09:19:56 · answer #5 · answered by Kim G. 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Indeed! I agree with your theory and I believe all lefties are ambi-dexterous to some extent. I am a lefty (we rule BTW) and I could switch hit when I played baseball. It came rather natural. I also have a friend that practices archery and he uses a bow right-handed even though he is a lefty.
Although I am somewhat ambi-dexterous I could never master scissors. lol
2006-12-06 07:53:45 · answer #6 · answered by Eagle 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋