Contexts of Twinship: Discourses and Generation

Abstract

Much of the research relating to twins is concentrated in biology and psychology where twins have been used as methodological tools for testing for the relative influences of nature and nurture. This chapter demonstrates a sociological approach to the study of twinship by situating twinship within a social and cultural context. It examines how discourses of twinship, childhood and ‘growing up’ bring meaning to and frame our understanding of twinship. It also draws attention to the significance of family life, especially family relationships and generation in contextualising twins’ experiences and variously facilitating and inhibiting their agency.