Exploring Twins By Elizabeth A. Stewart

‘Their harmonious ability to coordinate themselves in good works is a model for all happy dualities.  They are compared, for example, to a happy married couple, the two horns or two hoofs of an animal, the two seeing eyes, the two lips speaking sweetly, or the two confluent rivers’ (Hankoff, 1977, Citing Bose, p. 312) – p. 8

Twins have provided and endless source of fascination for storytellers and writers for centuries.  Initially, the overwhelming focus of attention was the comic potential of mistaken identity occasioned by monozygotic or identical twins.  Subsequently, however, writers began to explore proposed dichotomies of twinship, such as moral dichotomies of good versus evil.  Fiction involving the double or doppelganger and the double’s search for identity appeared alongside writing utilising twins to illustrate a wide range of human dualities. – p.27

Pintonelli’s work on the interaction of a number of twins foetuses suggests that competition itself begins in the womb, the very essence of the competition being who comes out first: the ‘who arrives first’ factor may also be a continuing, even all-pervasive, factor in the twins relationship. – p.102

I would not consider Rachael and I to be competitive.  Even when we were young we did not compete for more attention than the other, or aimed to beat each other at anything.  We found that being equal was more satisfying, as it meant there was no 'loser' in the situation.  During exams, for example, we studied together and gained very similar results, which was a very positive outcome as neither of us was left disappointed because the other did better.

Let us suppose a twin has misbehaved and the parental way of dealing with this child is to send him/her to their room.  This twin is often ‘visited’ by their twin or even brought presents, such as food offerings, thus negating the parental isolation tactics. – P.104

Although it was very rare for us to misbehave and be punished, if the situation ever did arise, this situation definitely ensued.

The argument is founded on over 50 years of research which indicated that twins, or average, may experience delays in language development when compared to singletons. – p.104

As discussed earlier, I was the talker, which mean Rachael was a slow developer when it came to speech.

Most importantly, we must not lose sight of the fact that if the decision is made to split the twins up in preschool, this is probably the first time either twin such a lengthy separation.  In conjunction with this change, the twins are required to interact with other children, many twins engaging with others for the first time. – P.109

My mam found it important to make sure we were put in separate classes at school, so that we would make our own friend's and not depend on each other.  I feel this was the right decision to make, and made it a lot easier for my mam, and us, when one of us was absent from school due to illness as it mean one was not alone at school, as we had our own friendship groups.

Stereotypes about twins are also based on the idea that twinship involved an emotionally close relationship between the pair, especially between same-sex twins, in which each twin’s needs and feelings are automatically met and understood by the other twin. – P.160

I do think that the twin relationship is one that cannot be compared.  The strength of a twin bond, in most cases, is unbreakable, and no one else can come close to sharing that connection.
 

A final label relates to the nature if twinship: the question is often asked of twins, 'are you identical?' to which some then add 'or are you fraternal?'  The label of identical twin or fraternal twin for many twins themselves spells confusion.  This not only depends on the age of the twin but on the fact that many twins do not know whether or not they are indeed monozygotic or dizygotic twins.  But in either instance, what does the label mean?  Does 'identical' merely refer to genetic similarity or does it have far-reaching social and non-individualising consequences?  The social label of 'twin', for both types of twins, is more valid or consequential than the label monozygotic or dizygotic twin. - P. 162
As I have said, we HATE being called 'the twins'.  not only do I find the term sickly sweet, but it automatically gives people the right to lump us together as one entity, which we are not. 

'What is fascinating about twins is that they are a condition of humanity which forces all rules to be qualified.  Everybody is different - except identical twins.  Everyone has got different blood groups - except identical twins.' (Burn, 1997, Wright, p.96, italics mine) and 'Except for identical twins, every human being is totally unique and different from every other one' (Rist, 1991, P. 20, italics mine). - P. 166

I find myself being almost offended by this statement.  True, we share the same blood, the same DNA and are very similar in looks, but what exactly makes us non-unique?  We still have our own unique personalities, styles and even finger prints.  We have different medical problems (I have a heart murmur, Rachael does not), heights, shoe sizes, dress sizes etc.  We are just as unique as any other human being, we just happen to share some similarities with each other.

Elizabeth A. Stewart (2003). Exploring Twins. Philladelphia: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 08-166.