Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site ihlpm.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!umcp-cs!gymble!lll-crg!dual!qantel!ihnp4!ihlpm!cher
From: cher@ihlpm.UUCP (cherepov)
Newsgroups: net.med,net.kids,net.social
Subject: Re: Changing Left-handedness to Right-handedness
Message-ID: <413@ihlpm.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 13-Aug-85 17:38:40 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihlpm.413
Posted: Tue Aug 13 17:38:40 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 18-Aug-85 22:07:16 EDT
References: <127@unc.unc.UUCP> <464@petrus.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 20
Xref: linus net.med:1857 net.kids:1545 net.social:825

> Back in the "old days" in this country, they taught children to be
> right handed.  My father was born left-handed, and then re-trained.
> He now eats with his left hand, writes with his right, and claims 
> that the attempt at righting his dexterity has ruined his sense of
> direction (which is lousy; mine is good).  He is convinced that this
> is a usless if not harmful thing to do to children.
> -Mark Garrett

I am one of such "converts" (not-so-old days in another country). 
My opinion is that it can improve
aptitude for some sports (wrestling, skiing) where ambidexterity
is more of a plus, but hurt you in tennis,... I play left-handed,
but used to be about equally good (poor?) off both sides in badminton.
Should be damaging for guitar-playing.
I also have very poor sense of direction and often say "right"
while distinctly having in mind "left". 
Re-training is clearly a very ill-concieved policy, however
I can not give any references. Just the idea of creating an
invisible handicap for the sake of conforming does not seem reasonable.
				Mike Cherepov