Twins in Society : parents, bodies, space and talk

Abstract

What does it mean to be a twin? To what extent can twins shape or 'escape' their identities as twins? By examining the accounts and experiences of child twins, adult twins and parents of twins Twins in Society explores some answers to these questions. It investigates the opportunities and constraints that twins face in negotiating their identities and explores how twins' experiences vary and change as they move through life. Whilst taking account of how social expectations about 'twins', 'childhood' and 'adulthood' impact on twins' lives, this book explores the active role that twins themselves take in shaping their own identities. It shows how, by utilizing their bodies, physical space and talk, twins variously play up and play down their identities as twins. As well as being of interest to those who want to know more about twins, this book will appeal to students interested in the social study of childhood, siblingship and identity.