Lefty or Righty

Do you write with your right hand? Throw a ball with your left? Or perhaps you are part of the 1% of people who are ambidextrous (am-buh-DEK-struss) and can use both hands equally well.

Studies show that around 90% of people are righties (right-handed), while only about 10% are lefties (left-handed).

When scientists first started studying this trait, they thought a single gene (a unit of DNA that helps determine your traits) gives us our right- or left-handedness. But now scientists believe that up to 40 genes have a hand in our handedness.

Our genes cause other things about us, too. The tone of our skin, eye or hair color, and even our blood type are all caused by genetics. But no matter your hair color, skin tone, or hand you use, we are all descendants of Adam and Eve. Righties or lefties, we are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).

Even before they’re born, babies will usually suck one thumb or the other. Some scientists believe the hand they use determines whether the baby will be right- or left-handed after birth.

There are more left-handed boys than girls.

Did you know lefties are mentioned in the Bible? One of the judges of Israel was left-handed (Judges 3:15). Later in Judges, a group of 700 left-handed men from the tribe of Benjamin used sling shots in battle (Judges 20:16).

August 13 is International Left-Handers Day.