Irish twins (or Irish siblings) is a term for two siblings who are born within a twelve-month period of each other. The terminology is not specific to twins only, but can be applied to any two siblings born within the same year.
The term came from the belief that the Irish were uniquely capable of producing two children in a year due to the country’s high fertility rates, although more recent research has shown this to be false.
The term is often used to refer to siblings who are less than two years apart, though some definitions suggest it applies to children who were born within twelve months of each other. Irish twins can be given specific attention in school due to their similar grades and ages, as well as their participation in shared activities.
They can also often be seen playing together as they are naturally very close. Additionally, parents of Irish twins occasionally experience double trouble because two siblings born so close together tend to have different and sometimes conflicting wants, needs and desires.
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What is the politically correct term for Irish twins?
The politically correct term for Irish twins is ‘closely-spaced siblings’. This term is preferable to ‘Irish twins’ because it is less likely to be seen as offensive or pejorative. Irish twins is a term typically used to describe siblings who are born less than 12 months apart and generally originates from the Roman Catholic tradition in Ireland of having frequent pregnancies and large families.
Although this term is still used colloquially in some instances, it is generally considered to be antiquated and outdated and is not seen as politically correct or an appropriate term to use in modern parlance.
Thus, ‘closely-spaced siblings’ is the preferred alternative.
What can I say instead of Irish twins?
You could say “fraternal twins,” which is when two siblings who were born within a year of each other, but are not identical twins. Or, you could say “close in age,” which is when two siblings were born within a few years of each other and refer to it that way.
Whether they are Irish or not is irrelevant to the phrase, although it may have first been used to describe siblings from Ireland who were in close proximity in birth.
What do you call siblings born 14 months apart?
Siblings born 14 months apart can be referred to as “Irish Twins”. The term Irish Twins derives from the traditional Irish Catholic practice of baptizing infants shortly after birth and families having children in rapid succession.
The term suggests there is only a short interval between the two siblings’ birth dates—usually, less than a year but more than two months—and generally refers to siblings of the same gender.
Is 17 months apart Irish twins?
No, Irish twins are defined as two children born in the same year. While 17 months apart is a relatively close gap in age, it does not match the definition of Irish twins. Generally, to be considered Irish twins, the children must be born within 12 months of each other.
Irish twins have close-knit relationships, due to their shared year of birth and the fact that they often grow up in close proximity. Several famous pairs of Irish twins are Rihanna and her brother Rorrey, singer Nick and Joe Jonas, and President Barack Obama and his half-brother Malik Obama.
What is the shortest gap between siblings?
The shortest gap between siblings is determined by the time difference between a woman’s first two pregnancies. It is possible for siblings to be born within hours, days, or weeks of each other, depending on the timing.
The current world record belongs to a family in which siblings were born within 11 hours of one another. Because of the complexity and the variability of preterm delivery, pregnancies, and labor and delivery, there is not a definitive answer to the shortest gap between siblings.
However, it is clear that there have been cases in which siblings have been born in the same day, or even within minutes or seconds of one another.
How many days apart are Irish twins?
Irish twins are two siblings born within the same calendar year. That means they must be born at least 365 days apart to not be considered Irish twins. So technically, Irish twins must be born at least one full year apart from each other in order to not be considered Irish twins.
How soon do you have to get pregnant to have Irish twins?
Generally, Irish twins refer to two children born within 12 months of each other. Therefore, the timeline for when one would need to get pregnant to have Irish twins largely depends on when the first child is born.
For example, if your first child is born in May, then you would need to get pregnant again before May of the following year to have Irish twins. Ultimately, the timeline for getting pregnant in order to have Irish twins largely depends on when the first child is born and when one plans to get pregnant with their second child.
What are the risks of having babies 15 months apart?
The risks of having babies 15 months apart are both physical and emotional. From a physical standpoint, the mother’s body may not be fully recovered from the first delivery. Due to the increased physical and emotional strain of the second pregnancy and delivery, the mother may be more prone to preterm labor, low birth weight, or a C-section.
This can put her at risk physically, as well as her baby.
The emotional aspect of having babies 15 months apart can be difficult as well. This includes things like fatigue, postpartum depression, anxiety, and increased stress. The mother may have less time to focus on and bond with the first baby due to her attention shifting towards the second pregnancy and delivery.
Having two young children at once can be a challenge for any mother, and having them only 15 months apart can make it even more difficult.
Overall, having two babies 15 months apart can be both physically and emotionally taxing, and it’s important for parents to make sure they are emotionally and financially prepared for the challenges ahead.
Is Irish twins a thing?
Yes, Irish twins is a term used to describe two children who are born within 12 months of each other. This term is particularly common in Irish-American culture and is sometimes extended to include any siblings born within 24 months of each other.
The specific age range defines how many months the two children must be apart in order to be considered Irish twins, but the term is typically used to describe two children who are born close together.
While the term “Irish twins” may sound like an ethnic descriptor, it typically applies to all children born within a short amount of time and is not specific to Irish heritage.
What is the myth of Divine Twins?
The myth of the Divine Twins is an ancient one that is pervasive across many different cultures, from the Norse to Native America to India. It is a complex story that speaks of two siblings, usually a brother and sister, who are connected not only in a familial way but also either created or chosen by the gods for a special or sacred purpose, or to embody special powers and qualities.
The exact details and themes vary, depending on the culture, but some of the common threads that are often present are the two being twins of the same parentage, able to bring balance and healing, and to act as a single but united force against wrongs or evil.
This is the idea of twinning as a powerful and spiritual idea, of two beings who are more than the sum of their parts.
The myth is said to represent the idea that duality and balance are essential aspects of existence and the universe. It serves to remind us of the power and potential of harmony between two different things, or two very different kinds of people coming together to make something significantly better and more beautiful.
In a mythic context, the two Divine Twins are usually accompanied by a third force, often a spirit or a creature in the shape of an animal, that serves to guide and protect them from danger, and in some cases, to bear witness to their adventures and struggles as they confront evil and strive to maintain balance and harmony.
The myth of the Divine Twins has been a powerful one in many cultures over the centuries, serving as a reminder to humanity of the importance of duality, balance, and harmony, and the importance of coming together to fight the wrongs and injustices of the world.
Which god pairs are twins?
In Greek mythology, there are several twin pairs of gods. The most notable twins are Apollo and Artemis—the Greek god of the sun, light, music, and medicine, and the goddess of the hunt, wild animals, and the wilderness.
Other brother-sister pairs include Aphrodite and Ares, who were the gods of love and war, respectively; Dionysus and Demeter, from the gods of wine and agriculture; and Hades and Persephone, from the gods of the underworld and spring.
Furthermore, the Dioskouroi (or Dioscuri) brothers, Castor and Pollux, were gods of justice and the sea. All of these gods were born to the supreme deity, Zeus, ruler of the gods and the sky, and his wife, the titaness Hera.
Who are the twins in Russian mythology?
In Russian mythology, there is the story of Iul’ava and Iulit’sa, two twin girls who are said to have been born from the same egg. They are described as opposite, yet complementary, in nature. Iul’ava was said to be strong, courageous, and beautiful, while Iulit’sa was gentle, kindhearted, and wise.
It is said that they were inseparable and would do everything together: hunting, fishing, and protecting their people. They eventually reached the age to marry, but because of their intense bond, they couldn’t bear to part, choosing instead to end their lives together by jumping into the river.
To commemorate their story, a monument to the two twins was erected beside the river, symbolizing the power of their love.
What is the rarest twin?
The rarest type of twin is known as “monochorionic diamniotic” (or “mono-di”) twins, where two babies share the same placenta within one amniotic sac. Mono-di twins occur in approximately 1 in 35 pregnancies with multiples, which is much less common than fraternal twins or identical twins, which both occur in approximately 1 in 90 pregnancies with multiples.
This is because mono-di twins have the same fertilized egg splitting into two, which is less likely to happen than two separate eggs being fertilized. This type of twin has a higher than average risk for fetal-to-fetal transfusion syndrome (FFTS) as the fetuses share a placenta, meaning they can transfer their blood back and forth through connecting blood vessels.
Because of these health risks, mono-di twins are typically closely monitored throughout the pregnancy.
Which parent influences twins?
Parents influence their twins in a variety of ways. The first influence starts in the womb, as babies in utero can be affected by their mother’s stress, diet, and even the climate. Outside of the womb, parents continue to shape their twins’ lives.
Parents act as role models and caregivers, providing their children with consistent love, guidance, and discipline.
From everyday tasks like feeding, changing, and playing with their twins, to instilling shared values and lessons, each parent’s influence can be as different as their children.
Parents influence twin’s behavior, beliefs, and even their physical and mental health. Research shows that parents can help nurture a connection between their twins, or cause difficulties in their relationship.
Twins can also be influenced by their parents’ lifestyle. For instance, research shows that twins raised in higher socioeconomic environments tended to develop higher levels of achievement and educational attainment than their peers from lower-income households.
Ultimately, parents are the primary influence on their twins—and it’s up to them to create a supportive and loving environment for their children as they grow.
