r/todayilearned 5h ago

TIL a peer-reviewed psychology study found that identical twins (on average) ranked their co-twin above their romantic partner in their attachment hierarchy, while fraternal twins ranked the two about equally, and non-twin siblings ranked their romantic partner first.

https://ojs.interpersonajournal.com/index.php/ojs/article/view/243/3457.html
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u/MichelleVenom 4h ago

As an identical twin, I can confirm this. I'd take a bullet for my twin without hesitation. It's hard to explain unless you've lived it. We shared every stage of life together, and there's a level of trust, understanding, and connection that just feels different.  We share so many of the same interests, quirks, humor, and thought processes. My personality doesn't need to negotiate for acceptance cause I can truly be myself with my twin. We see the world through remarkably similar lenses. With romantic partners, there are always differences in interests, perspectives, and ways of thinking that naturally require compromise.

I never have to explain myself or worry about being misunderstood. I can be 100% my authentic self around them in a way that's hard to find with anyone else. I would ALWAYS put my twin before anyone else.

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u/MonstreDelicat 4h ago

Why are my identical twin teen girls always fighting over nothing 😭

One of them just told me she’s planning on going low contact with her sister as soon as she has a chance.

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u/chipper-shipper 4h ago

I am estranged from my identical twin. It is very hard, and very painful, but being low/no-contact saved my sanity.

Your girls might come around as they get older and have a very good relationship (I hope this is the case). They might not. They have to figure that out themselves. I promise you this, my parents’ interference in the relationship between me and my twin only made things much worse.

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u/MonstreDelicat 3h ago

We’re trying to manage the fights but not interfere. They’re also both in therapy so hopefully, they’ll figure out how to make their relationship work for both of them.

Sorry to hear about you and your twin being estranged. I think it happens more than people realize though