Dominican Republic: Historical superstitions regarding left-handedness

In the Dominican Republic, previous generations faced social stigma and superstitions regarding left-handedness. Children were often punished, forced to switch hands, or told that using their left hand was “the hand of the devil.”

Historical practices included tying a child's left hand to force right-handedness or using physical punishment, such as ruler strikes, to correct their writing style. Families often viewed being left-handed as a defect that needed to be cured, though modern perspectives have shifted to treat the condition as normal.