“If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” — Ignacio Estrada
Historically, left-handedness has often been met with resistance, particularly in childhood. In earlier times, children who exhibited signs of left-handedness were frequently subjected to corrective measures by their parents, aimed at suppressing the use of their dominant left hand in favor of the right. These measures included physically restraining the left hand by tying objects to it or discouraging its use through various means, all in an attempt to align the child with societal norms. This practice, however, is a direct challenge to nature and innate abilities.
In the realm of education, Aristotle likened the role of a teacher to that of a midwife, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a child's natural abilities rather than reshaping them. Attempting to convert a left-handed child into a right-handed one disregards the child's inherent tendencies and potential. Left-handed individuals have demonstrated remarkable success in various fields, with notable figures such as Barack Obama, a left-handed dreamer who ascended to the presidency of the United States, exemplifying that handedness does not determine one's capacity for achievement.
Why, then, has there been such a historical push in some communities like mine in Bamenda, to force left-handed children to conform? What influenced past generations to adopt this practice, and does it still persist today? If today, you had a baby with a more active left hand, would you try to convert the child to a right-handed individual? If yes, may we know one thing in life that right-handed people achieve which left-handed people cannot achieve?
While societies have rallied against practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) as a matter of human rights and individual dignity, the forced suppression of left-handedness, though relatively rare, has not received comparable scrutiny or advocacy.
What is often perceived as an effort to enforce conformity may, in reality, be an inadvertent suppression of a child's potential. Recognizing and nurturing individuality should take precedence over outdated societal expectations, ensuring that each child has the opportunity to develop and thrive according to their natural inclinations.
- Akaba A. James, 2016 Fulbright Fellow, Winthrop University, South Carolina, USA
Comments