I have two left handed kids. I'm pretty sure I am left handed but it was slapped out of me as well - except with a ruler across the knuckles. I write with my right hand but throw with my left and I have red hair....two strikes against me. I am creative and definitely a thinker. I do have ambidextrous tendencies.
Canada rid the evil of correcting left handedness. I'm not sure when. But by the time I had children in the late 70's I could purchase left handed scissors and the like for my children.
True that, I think left-handed people are a little above average on the creative index. I've noticed many artists who are lefties. Also getting left handed scissors is something you'll have to specially order for here, as the country has not much specific things for the left handed people.