The lived experience of being a twin : dynamics of the development of a sense of self and identity

• Main Author: Carter, Kimberley
• Published: University of Kent 2012
• Subjects: 155.444
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.593896

Twins have long been a source of curiosity the world over. Non twins are fascinated by the fact that there are two infants/chi ldren/adults who look alike. They project all kinds of beliefs (consciously or unconsciously) onto the twin pair e.g. that twins are best friends, and like one another. Twins have the 'perfect' relationship projected on to them, and this study wanted to look at how twins themselves experience being life long objects of intense curiosity, and to find out whether or not twins are as close to one another as non twins imagine, and want them to be. Analysing internet conversations between twins created the question: "Why do some twins like one another, and others do not?". Analysis of interviews with twins showed that negative feelings were more prevalent for twins who claimed to have experienced bad parenting. Psychodynamic theory is used to explore how twins' early development differs from development of a single infa nt. Development of a senseof self and agency is clearly going to be different when there are two infants of the same developmental age. Twins have to separate from their twin as well as their caregiver and therefore face unique separation issues.