Being Two Makes a Difference

Abstract

One of the purposes of the project was to assess a possible genetic contribution to the child characteristics, and this was the chief reason for including twins in the sample. However, twins are also something of a “special” population. They share the same womb and the same maternal resources before birth, their birth is attended by special difficulties, and their physical state at birth is more precarious than that of singletons (these factors will be discussed below). Moreover, the presence of two children of the same age in the home is likely to alter quite dramatically the climate of the relations between children and parents—the environmental contingencies to which children are exposed. In terms of the immediate, harsh reality, it simply doubles the demands on mother’s and father’s time, effort, and patience.