Lefty Problems: Scientists Still Don't Know Why Some People Are Left-Handed

About 90 percent of the total population is right handed - and there is a special ten percent who have dominant left hands. Among those notable left-handers include President Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and Oprah Winfrey.

President Barack Obama is one of four confirmed left-handed presidents. #lefthandersday pic.twitter.com/ePqJ3M8daO

— White House History (@WhiteHouseHstry) August 13, 2016

Once upon a time, many believed that being left-handed means a person is more prone to dealing with the devil, and that it is a trait that should be corrected. Fortunately, the time has long since passed, but the question remains: why are some people left-handed?

A study published in the journal PLOS Genetics said that genes and gene mutations can influence the development of the left and right asymmetry of the body and brain, and it is possible that some of these genes are related to someone being right or left handed. However, some experts believe that genetics is only responsible of this 25 percent of the time, so being left or right handed could be a random trait.

Others also believe that this trait may have continued on as it gives people an advantage when it comes to fighting. AOL noted that they are better in fights because opponents rarely expect left-hand jabs and hooks. However, while studies are ongoing, scientists also noted that there aren't really any differences between right and left-handed people when it comes to personality traits like extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotionality, or openness to experience. And just like anything else, Time noted that while there are advantages to being left-handed, there are also some disadvantages.

Don't feel bad about not being part of the rare left-handed population, though. Studies showed that people have the tendency to become ambidextrous as they age due to losing dexterity in their dominant hands - so there is a likelihood that if you're right-handed, you can learn to write with your left hand over time and vice versa.