La gemellisation de l'environnement physique des jumeaux : attitudes et pratiques maternelles

Abstract

The attitudes and childrearing practices of mothers of twins in regard to the differentiation of their children were studied with a sample of 68 families ofl year old twins (MZ, same sex DZ and different sex DZ). Observations of the twins' physical environ- ment (clothes, bedroom furniture, bedroom arrangement, decoration, toys) were compared to mothers' educational approaches evaluated by interview (purchase and type of clothes and toys given to twins). The findings showed : a significant relationship between type of twins and mothers' child rearing observed practices ; a relationship between mothers' level of education and maternal attitudes expressed during interview ; and an interaction between type of twins and sociocultural level particularly for the same sex twins (MZ and DZ) and for the lower educated mothers. The highest contradiction between stated principles and actual practices was observed in mothers of different sex twins. Aside from the specific status of monozygosity for mothers, this study points to the relevance of distinguishing same sex from different sex twins.

Forms of Family Reorganization Following the Birth of Twins

“…The present study was designed to assess the practical and social problems faced by families of twins after the birth, and how they go about resolving them. It is part of a larger study commissioned by the " Caisse Nationale d'Allocations Familiales" [10], the government agency which handles family benefits (financial assistance and assignment of mother's helpers) in France.…”

Speech in Same- and Different-sex Twins 4 and 5 Years Old

“…Female precociousness may mask the interaction between co-twin tutoring and maternal tutoring. It has been shown that maternal tutoring is dependent upon the sex-makeup of the twin dyad: mothers are more differentiating with different-sex twins than with same-sex twins (see Robin et al, 1993). It therefore seems probable that co-twin tutoring interacts with maternal tutoring in other cognitive domains, in a way that is more profitable to different-sex twins than to same-sex twins.…”

“…These two variables, "sex" and "type of pair", appear to play an important role in the development of twin children. In a study on the physical environment of twins and maternal attitudes and practices, Robin et al (1993) noted the potential impact of the sex variable and suggested distinguishing same-sex and different-sex twins in future research.…”