Why Are Some People Left-Handed?

We've got two perfectly good hands attached to two perfectly good arms, so why do most people prefer to use one over the other for common tasks?

(lots more references in there!)

Produced for PBS Digital Studios

Joe Hanson - Host and writer
Joe Nicolosi - Director
Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads - Associate Producer
Katie Graham - Director of Photography
Andrew Matthews - Editing/Motion Graphics
Dalton Allen - Post-production intern
John Knudsen - Gaffer

Theme music:
"Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod

Stock images via Shutterstock

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[mike.likes.science]

As a lefty, I found it strange to use left-handed items. I was so used to adapting to the right-handed stuff that left-handed desks, and scissors just didn't feel right. Anyone else have similar experiences?

[dancemomsstrike]

I hate it when people go “how do you write with your left hand”
Because I’m like “HOW DO YOU WRITE WITH YOUR RIGHT HAND” 😂😂😂

[wateryketchup]

“ woah you're left handed? how do you write? ”


*dEEP INHALE*

[deadchannel]

My mom always taught me to write with my right hand but I always preferred left. Idk 😐

[kaagex]

*someone sees me writing with my left hand*
“Wow! Your left-handed? My fiancé’s cousins neighbour is left-handed!”
“Just let me live my

[yashodabhatia]

WOW! Your left handed? ... My brothers aunts sister cousins neighbour is left handed too!

[stardust]

In chemistry class we had to do group projects. We were a group of six lefties and our teacher found it so interesting that he calls us the lefty class since then.

[beanzuwu]

When your left: writing like a human being

Class: OH MY GOD DOES THAT HURT?


Me: wtf this is how I write.

[anonymousunnamed]

Funny, I do half of things with my left (eat and write), but everything else with my right side (hit, kick, catch/throw a ball, use a mouse or tool). Even in sports like baseball I do "right handed". If I had to, i.e. if I broke my left hand, I can also write legibly. Eating with my right hand is awkward, however. I have always wondered if this is a left handed trait or are there right handed people who are like this but reversed. I don't know if I would call myself ambidextrous bc I do have a preference.

[MF-lnve]

Who else is part of the 9% chance of being lefty

[riannadebett]

Where's my lefty squad?

I know there's more than just me. ;D

[Hwan.]

I think it’s funny when someone says “you’re left handed?!!?”
But then I really mess em up because I play guitar right handed.

[sugakookies]

3:04
So I'm that 9% that is left handed with two right handed parents

[Nimiety]

I'm left handed. It's very annoying having to cope in world dominated by right handed tools. Even measuring cups show in Metric instead of Imperial (i live in the US) when grabbed by the left hand. But on the plus side, it forced me to get used to the Metric System.

[gudzev]

Facts of my left hand and for what i use it
1.Eating
2.Writing
3.It’s stronger than my right hand

Right hand:
Holding Mouse

[luluanioka]

No one:
Literally nobody:
NO ONE:



The righties in your class: You'Re lEft hAndEd? HoW dO yoU eVeN wrItE ?

[aidenwathern]

Most of my family is righty but I'm lefty

[hmm]

My parents are both right handed so i had a 6% chance of being left handed and I am


I feel so special

[randomknowledgeperson]

Righties: We rule the world!
Lefties: We may be smaller! But we are special!
Ambidextrians: Pathetic.

[lafayeetelargebaguette]

Everyone always asks me “How do you write with your left hand??” And I’m all “... cuz I can. How are you RIGHT handed?!”