Why are a small portion of people left-handed?

.Arsadious.
2 min readAug 31, 2023

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(a person using their left hand)

Today we will unfold the reason why only a few people (about 10–15%) are left-handed out of the total population which comprises (85–90%) of right-handed people.

Well, you might think the major reason behind this might be genetics or inheritance. However, this isn’t the case Studies have shown that genetics don’t play that much of a vital role in yielding a left-handed individual but there is a slight influence.

It is believed that it may be caused most likely by environmental stimulus etc.

Let’s go into the detailed points given below to understand the main root cause of why a very small group of people are left-handed;

•Brain Structure and Development:

Handedness is closely related to brain lateralization, which is the specialization of different brain hemispheres for specific functions. In most right-handed individuals, language functions are primarily localized in the left hemisphere of the brain. Left-handed individuals, on the other hand, often show more variability in brain lateralization. Some researchers believe that differences in brain structure and function during development may contribute to handedness.

•Hormonal Influences:

Hormones, particularly testosterone, have been suggested to play a role in determining handedness. Some studies have shown that higher levels of testosterone in the womb may be associated with a higher likelihood of left-handedness.

•Chances and Random Variation:

Some individuals may simply become left-handed due to chance or random factors during development. It’s important to note that left-handedness is not an abnormality; it’s just a natural variation in the human population.

•Genetics:

There is evidence to suggest that genetics plays a role in handedness. Studies have shown that left-handedness tends to run in families. However, it’s not a simple dominant or recessive trait, as there isn’t a single "left-handed gene." Instead, multiple genes are thought to contribute to handedness.

•Environmental Factors:

While genetics and biology play significant roles, environmental factors can also influence handedness. For example, cultural practices, social pressure, and educational methods may encourage right-handedness. In the past, left-handedness was sometimes stigmatized, which could have influenced individuals to adapt to right-handedness.

In summary, left-handedness is likely the result of a complex interplay between genetic, developmental, hormonal, and environmental factors. While we have some understanding of these factors, the precise mechanisms that determine handedness are still an area of ongoing research.

Blogger: .Arsadious.

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