What is the twin mystique?

Joan Friedman, PhD Psychologist & Twin Expert, explains her term she coined that describes how people romanticize twin-ship and why it's important parents balance togetherness with alone time
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What is the twin mystique?

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The twin mystique is a term that I've coined that describes how people romanticize twin ship. Many people feel that twins have an unbreakable bond, telepathic intimacy, they are best friends, soul mates forever, and they are never alone. Parents who buy into this expectation about twins are much more prone to raise twins as a unit as opposed to two unique individuals. When you raise twins as a unit, they become overly close and when you are overly close, when you reach adulthood, you really are challenged in your capacity to maintain intimate connections, to trust other people, and to have a sense of security by yourself. It's very important that twin parents realize, that too much togetherness can be toxic.

Joan Friedman, PhD Psychologist & Twin Expert, explains her term she coined that describes how people romanticize twin-ship and why it's important parents balance togetherness with alone time

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Joan Friedman, PhD

Psychologist & Twin Expert

Dr. Joan A. Friedman is a prominent and well-respected twin expert who shares her passionate views and insights about twins and their emotional needs with twins and their families throughout the world. The fact that she is an identical twin and the mother of five, including fraternal twin sons, makes her ideally suited to this task. Her commitment to twin research and her treatment of twins of all ages demonstrate the breadth and depth of her skills and experience. She conducts ongoing groups for parents of twins and provides consultation on twin related matters such as school placements, developmental discrepancies, and behavioral issues.

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Transcription: 
The twin mystique is a term that I've coined that describes how people romanticize twin ship. Many people feel that twins have an unbreakable bond, telepathic intimacy, they are best friends, soul mates forever, and they are never alone. Parents who buy into this expectation about twins are much more prone to raise twins as a unit as opposed to two unique individuals. When you raise twins as a unit, they become overly close and when you are overly close, when you reach adulthood, you really are challenged in your capacity to maintain intimate connections, to trust other people, and to have a sense of security by yourself. It's very important that twin parents realize, that too much togetherness can be toxic.