I doubt kids growing up now experience too many disadvantages. Most things are done electronically, by keypad or keyboard - where both hands are treated equally. We had those huge binders and right handed desks, notebooks, pencil sharpeners, scissors, etc... The only thing that still bugs me is the electronic signature screen at most grocery stores (and other stores) - the pen to sign the screen is usually attached to the device on the RIGHT-hand side. Takes a little maneuvering to sign with the Left hand.

I was lucky enough to not be abused by the nuns in school. I did have a tough time doing things, especially crafts. I had to teach myself how to crochet by holding the needle and yarn up in the mirror. I recently bought a curling iron after watching YouTube videos thinking, I got this. The only thing I got was a knotted, messed up clump of hair when I was twisting it around the hot wand!

Sounds like a cult

Julia:

Yes things have changed, but let's not see the world with "right" colored glasses. Do you not still notice that the "computer " mouse is for righties and that the number pad on the number pad it for righties. The binders are still predominantly for righties. Even writing the English language is for righties. Think of all the smudges on your hand! Our lunch is our haven.

More koolaid?

When was the last time anyone could use a can opener with their left hand?

There are lots of people in my family who are/were lefties. Mother, her brother (from two right-handed parents), several cousins, etc. So by the time I came of age in the late 1960s/early 1970s, there wasn't much discussion about handedness.

Both my wife and I are lefties, and we have three right-handed children. Go figure!

But being a member in good standing of the Gotham Leftie group is a lot of fun!

It always bothered me that I could never write with a fountain pen. Fountain pens are inherently anti-Lefty.

It's up for milkbones as to whether dogs are Lefty or Righty, but my dogs have always been ambipawtrous. Maybe because I "shake" with my left hand?

unfortunately - i have no opinion about this - which is rare indeed :)

Can openers! Didn't think about that one. I squeeze with my left and turn the key with my right. No other way to do it, so I just sort of adapted without ever considering the device's "handedness" And manual pencil sharpeners, too... today, they're electric. In the office, we have checkbook binders that make it impossible for a leftie to fill out the stub, so when I have to write one it's a chore.

What other "humiliations" are still out there for us lefties?

Scissors are always a problem

My youngest daughter is a leftie in a family full of righties. I was so happy to bring her into a store in California last summer dedicated to all things leftie. She was so happy to get leftie pens and a leftie mug.

Rona....If you were in San Francisco...Everybody is a "Lefty".....Lefty O'Doul was a lefty. My wife is a lefty...And the mouse STAYS on the left side of the computer even when I use it. If you are a southpaw pitcher with any skill you will be signed right out of former commissioner Fred's Roslyn Little League. Back in the late 1800's ball parks were built with home plate facing east to avoid late afternoon sun blinding the batter. Hence...The pitcher would face west. So his left arm would face south. Hence South Paw. The term was coined by Finley Peter Dunne who covered sports for the Chicago News in 1887. Southpaw boxers lead with their right hand and jab with their right instead of their left. Tough for an opponent. Southpaw pitchers do well against left handed batters. Diane leads with her right and I can't seem to get through to her.

Hollander Sends

We would always bat both ways playing stickball. As to e-signing devices I find plenty set up better for the lefties and until this I never thought about it.

It was unfortunate that I had to miss the last lefties lunch! When I was in grammar school all the lefties had to sit on one side of the room ONLY! I was also abused as a south paw in grammar school for sure. I will have to make the next lefties lunch!!

I apologize for my thoughtless lefty slur made to you in my e-mail ;)

Hey at least you don't have a bigoted sports mascot named after you...or maybe that makes you feel "left" out.