The Demographic Profile of Twins: Temptation of Mimetism or Dissimilarity among Co-Twins ?

Nadège Couvert, Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)

In our societies, twins are exposed to external representations of twinning, representations which they can choose to integrate and appropriate, or reject. This work aims to evaluate similarity or dissimilarity in demographic and social behaviors among twins by studying such characteristics as education, profession, fertility, and nuptiality. Using the French Longitudinal Study (EDP or Permanent Demographic Sample), we compare discrepancies between twin pairs to those observed among ordinary non-twin sibling pairs with similar characteristics. This allows us to estimate differences in behavioral patterns among twins and to identify special situations and risk factors, such as familial composition (two or more children) or type of twin pair (identical or fraternal).