Nuns in Newport, RI broke the fingers on my first mother-in-law’s left hand to make her write right-handed. That was back in the late 1920’s when they could get away with such things.
My father was similarly forced to write right-handed (he’s actually ambidextrous). He forced my brothers (my sisters and I are naturally right-handed). When my older daughter started showing left-handed-ness, my mother told me that I should “make” her write with her right hand. Needless to say, my daughter is 12 now…and a proud leftie.
I went to school in West Texas in the late 1940s, early 1950s. In the first grade I had to sit on my left hand and write right handed. The few Mexicans who managed to get into school were beaten (not whipped) if they were overheard speaking Spanish. I remember we had a story where a character was named Pedro. My Mom taught me the correct Spanish pronunciation.The next day the teacher called it Peeedro. I was terrified that I would accidently pronounce in correctly, as I was afraid I would get a beating. The coach always did the honors and the paddle was almost always a 2×4 with holes drilled in it. Administered in front of the class.
Bah! I had the good nuns all through grammar school; I was and am proudly left-handed. That was never a problem. I can’t even recall a knuckle-rap, though there may have been a threat of such….
Egrayjames over 8 years ago
Nuns in Newport, RI broke the fingers on my first mother-in-law’s left hand to make her write right-handed. That was back in the late 1920’s when they could get away with such things.
Darsan54 Premium Member over 8 years ago
Lucked out. I only knew the nice nuns.
Wren Fahel over 8 years ago
My father was similarly forced to write right-handed (he’s actually ambidextrous). He forced my brothers (my sisters and I are naturally right-handed). When my older daughter started showing left-handed-ness, my mother told me that I should “make” her write with her right hand. Needless to say, my daughter is 12 now…and a proud leftie.
rlstephens57 over 8 years ago
I used to get the ruler to the back of my hand for writing left-handed. :P
eccolibri60 Premium Member over 8 years ago
I hope those nuns are made to write left-handed for all of eternity.
Old Texan75 over 8 years ago
I went to school in West Texas in the late 1940s, early 1950s. In the first grade I had to sit on my left hand and write right handed. The few Mexicans who managed to get into school were beaten (not whipped) if they were overheard speaking Spanish. I remember we had a story where a character was named Pedro. My Mom taught me the correct Spanish pronunciation.The next day the teacher called it Peeedro. I was terrified that I would accidently pronounce in correctly, as I was afraid I would get a beating. The coach always did the honors and the paddle was almost always a 2×4 with holes drilled in it. Administered in front of the class.
Old Texan75 over 8 years ago
Don’t blather to me about the “good ol’ days”, I know better.
Sisyphos over 8 years ago
Bah! I had the good nuns all through grammar school; I was and am proudly left-handed. That was never a problem. I can’t even recall a knuckle-rap, though there may have been a threat of such….