Sunday Scribblings: Two Peas in a Pod

Two peas in a pod – are usually similar, but not usually identical. I live in China and twins are relatively rare. And in a nation of very strict family planning where one child is the policy, it is OK to have twins, and while rare, it is often welcomed. The Chinese absolutely love children, and China's one-child family planning program remains a source of coercion, forced abortions, infanticide and perilously imbalanced boy-girl ratios. Twice now, China has celebrated the rarity of twins, by holding a festival for twins. Over 500 pairs of twins showed up at the first festival and over 600 pairs at the second. The festival offered twins an opportunity to perform and share their experiences, with many believing that they have forged closer relationships than ordinary brothers and sisters.

"We two are just like one," said Hu Beining, the twin sister of Hu Beilin, both 28. They attended the same kindergarten, middle school and college, and even shared the same employer for three years. "We call each other every day," said Hu Beining. "Our longest separation was for one month." (http://www.china.org.cn/english/2005/Oct/144173.htm)

There is a popular joke, which tells of two siblings walking hand in hand. One is clearly about 6-8” taller than the other, and, to an outsider, obviously older. “Oh, they are twins!” exclaims the mother. Just like two peas in a pod, similar but not identical!

Comments

[Laini]

I had never thought about what twins would mean under China's one-child policy. Thanks for a really interesting post! I wonder, are twin girls doubly unwelcome, or a blessing? This subject interests me a lot, because I think population issues will become such a concern world-wide that it won't be just China that has to have such a policy, brutal as it is, it is becoming increasingly necessary. I was surprised to learn recently that the US is the third most populous country after China and India!

[Kamsin]

Hi, I spent a year in China in 1999-2000. I taught university students and most of the undergrad were at the age that if they'd been their parents first they were among the first generation to be effected by the policy, so a few had older siblings but most didn't. I had endless converstations about the one child policy that year and I was constantly amazed by the extent to which most of these young people believed in it and felt it their duty as Chinese citizens. I guess living in the overcrowded conditions they did coupled with the Communist Party's propoganda it shouldn't have been so surprising. Only one young woman voiced any discontent; if she had a child and it died she'd not have another to comfort her.
Sorry for the long comment! God bless all you're doing in China, I found it imeasurably hard being there. And thanks for visiting my blog!

[Jemima von Schindelberg]

Not something I'd considered either. Interesting.

[Paris Parfait]

Thanks for providing this fascinating glimpse into China's reactions to twins! We only ever hear about the previous aversion to girls, so this sheds new light on the role of children in China.

[Aly]

So interesting! I had no idea that there was a strict population control.. it's sort of sad, really. Great to see that twins are a blessing.

Wonderful take on the S.S!

-Aly

[Gabi]

I like your take on this subject. I think it's very interesting and I learned something today! I knew about China's one child policy but had never thought about what happened if there are twins!
~Gabi