Dr. Segal’s seventh book, Deliberately Divided: Inside the Controversial Study of Twins and Triplets Adopted Apart, was released in November 2021. This work provides the first in-depth look at the lives of the intentionally separated twins, their families, the study in which they were unknowingly enrolled and the psychiatrists who orchestrated that research.

Dr. Nancy J. Segal recently shared insights with us about her upcoming book and the controversial study.

The NYC twin study, which began in the early 1960s, is not well known. How did you first hear about it?

I heard about it when I arrived at the U of MN as a post-doc in 1982 and there was discussion of a planned expose of the study by 60 Minutes, CBS—but that never happened.

Who were the main investigators?   

Drs. Viola W. Bernard and Peter B. Neubauer, both prominent psychoanalytic psychiatrists.

What was the actual purpose of the study? 

To see how different parenting styles affected the development of identical twins reared apart—to solve the nature-nurture issue for good.

Can you please describe the twin sample and how it was assembled?

They studied 5 sets of adopted-apart identical twins and one set of adopted-apart identical triplets—one identical set was ultimately dropped from the study due to different dates of adoption and large birth weight difference. Unwed moms relinquished their babies for adoption at the Louise Wise Services; they were placed apart, even when common placement was requested.

What types of tests were given to the twins and triplets?

Intelligence and personality—they were also photographed and filmed.

The study has been very controversial over the years. Why is that? 

There was no informed consent. The twins were denied the chance to enjoy a celebrated relationship. Adoptive parents were never told that they were raising a single twin.

In the 1960s, there were no formal IRBs (Institutional Review Boards) at universities and other research institutes. Some people say that we should not judge what the researchers did by today’s standards. What is your opinion?

Just because some practices may be within legal limits does not mean they are morally correct. I believe that the study was unethical and immoral.

I understand that the twins’ data files were placed in the Yale University archives, not to be released until 2065. Who is responsible for doing that, and why was this done?

The Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services in NY placed the files at Yale, but who made that decision to do so remains a mystery.

Have the twins been able to get access to their own data?

Some twins have, but it is an arduous process, requiring approval from the Jewish Board. Much of the material has been redacted.

I know that you have written a book that is probably the most comprehensive account for this study and its aftermath. The book is called, Deliberately Divided: Inside the Controversial Study of Twins and Triplets Adopted Apart. It has a release date of November 2021—is it now available?

Yes, it is available on many websites. Reviews are posted on Amazon.com and on my website: drnancysegaltwins.org.

Why did you decide to write it?  

I wrote the book to tell the stories of the twins, to help them get their data, and to be sure this horrific episode in the history of psychology is never repeated.

Tell us a little about what is in the book that is not in the two documentary films that came out about the study, The Twinning Reaction, which you just saw, and also Three Identical Strangers. 

The life stories of twins, the investigators’ backgrounds, the failed publishing attempts, and attempts to derail the film from earning awards are all included in my book.

You studied many pairs of twins reared apart when you were at the University of Minnesota. And you have an ongoing study of young Chinese twins who were separated indirectly because of China’s One-Child Policy. How is what you did and are doing different from what Drs. Neubauer and Bernard did back in the 60s and 70s?

I have the full consent of the twins and their families.

The University of Minnesota study produced some ground-breaking findings regarding the roots of human behavior. In your view, did the Neubauer-Bernard collaboration discover anything that will have a lasting impact?

We do not know what was discovered since the few publications are only case studies and the data have been hidden. But it is unlikely—they also had a very small sample, so any results would hardly be representative.

Finally, do you have any closing comments you would like to make?

I hope that people will buy the book and gain a greater appreciation for the majority of researchers who are ethical and generous and care so deeply about twins.

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More about Dr. Nancy L. Segal

Segal’s 2012 book, Born Together-Reared Apart: The Landmark Minnesota Twin Study, won the 2013 William James Book Award from the American Psychological Association. Her other books include Accidental Brothers; The Story of Twins Exchanged at Birth and the Power of Nature and Nurture (2018), Twin Mythconceptions: False Beliefs, Fables and Facts About Twins (2017), Someone Else’s Twin: The True Story of Babies Switched at Birth (2011), Indivisible by Two: Lives of Extraordinary Twins (2007) and Entwined Lives: Twins and What They Tell Us About Human Behavior (2000).

Her work has been featured in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. A letter referencing twins and alternative lives appeared in “The Mail” column of the New Yorker Magazine, January 25, 2021. She has appeared on national and international television and radio programs, including The Today Show, 20/20, Long Lost Lives, AirTalk (NPR), and Hidden Brain (NPR).

Segal was also a Contributing Research Editor for Twins Magazine (1984-1998). In 2022, she will be filming for a BBC mini-series on Nature and Nurture.

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About Park Street:

Park Street offers an affordable, experience-based education to help students learn, socialize and develop while earning a reputable education. We offer a structured remote-learning environment with a curriculum that has been designed to engage students while also allowing them to experience the world they want to live in. For parents, it provides the educational certainty and confidence that comes from an integrated learning environment that allows their children to reach their full potential. Visit parkstreetedu.com to find out more.

I’ve lost count of the minutes I’ve spent sat in front of my laptop trying to convey, with authenticity, my complete adoration of Amanda Gorman’s poem ‘The Hill We Climb’ for the purpose of this article.

22-year-old Amanda Gorman made history as the country’s youngest inaugural poet and it is very clear that she is not going anywhere; she will continue to be a figure that will punctuate the world’s future tapestry. After staying up late on January 20th 2021 to put together a resource for the students at Park Street and teaching it multiple times to multiple age groups since then, I am still thinking about the impact of this poem and the ways in which it can be used in a classroom setting, discussed over the dinner table at home and even be used in the context of a workplace to inspire meaningful discussion.

Yes, the poem is linked, inextricably, to America, but the poem’s themes transcend geographical boundaries. The poem is about the struggle towards triumph over adversity, the weight of history, the power of unity and collective effort – the list is endless. Consequently, I believe that it will be incorporated into curricula all over the globe and it is exciting that today’s children will be the first of generations to hear, read and study this poem. As well as including a full lesson on this poem which you are more than welcome to download and use. You can find it here.

When reading this poem, here are some suggestions as to how you can discuss it at home with your children:

1. Write ‘The Hill We Climb’ in the middle of a piece of paper. Ask your child what they think this means. Explain that it is a metaphor. Ask them to think of any hills that they have to climb.
2. Print off a copy of the poem.
3. Ask your child to read the poem without listening to it and highlight words and phrases that stand out to them. Then, play the recording of Amanda Gorman’s delivery.

• Did anything different stand out to them this time?
• Zoom in on one or two phrases they have selected.
• Ask them why the poet chose these lines.
• Have your child select their favorite part of the poem and create a piece of artwork that either incorporates the language of the poem or the ideas behind their chosen quotation.

‘The Hill We Climb’ by Amanda Gorman

Kimothy Joy (an incredible artist on Instagram: @kimothy.joy) illustrated the poem’s lines:

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Park Street would also like to extend an invite for you and your child to join a complimentary live-virtual lesson on this poem. Please contact Giuliana at info@parkstreetedu.com to reserve your spot.

The post A Mindful Poem Activity: ‘The Hill We Climb’ By Amanda Gorman appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

Touching on themes such as diversity and individuality – the tiny insects of this story introduce children to important topics with a fun-to-read tale, chronicling the lives of some special tiny bugs.

About the book

Written by Hannah Qizilbash and illustrated by Katie Blakeslee, The Purple Grasshopper follows the journey of a quirky grasshopper who struggles with accepting that she is different. She tries to be like the other grasshoppers at first but quickly learns the power of self-love, and that friendship is abundant.  

The audience of this book are young children and parents who want to introduce the concepts of diversity, inclusion, self-love, and the importance of friendship.

We at Twins Magazine loved how the themes of self-acceptance, inclusion, and friendship were woven into a moving and enjoyable adventure. 

About the author 

We also had the opportunity to interview the book author and mom of twins, Hannah Qizilbash. Here is what she shared with us:

What inspired you to write this book? 

At 3.5 years old, my twins were facing some exclusion due to their curly, biracial hair and having to sit by themselves with their “safe food” due to their celiac disease and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) diagnoses. One day, when the girls asked for a story, I seized the opportunity to address the importance of self-confidence, inclusion, and support, then I created The Purple Grasshopper on the fly.

What one thing you would tell potential readers about the importance of your story? 

The most important takeaway here is that accepting your uniqueness is immensely powerful and freeing. When my kids began to repeatedly reference “being my own self like the grasshopper,” I realized that self-acceptance and inclusion can be taught, even at a young age.

What do you want readers to take away from your story? 

I want to help children understand the value of accepting differences, appreciating strengths, and being proud of who they are; while also understanding the importance of support. This book can also help parents introduce these complicated concepts at an early age.

Who is your main character and why are they important to you? 

The Purple Grasshopper is the main character and she is so incredibly important because she personifies that voice of doubt, and that feeling of uncertainty that most people have felt at some point. In addition to that, she is unique so she struggles with wanting to fit in, even though deep down it does not feel right. I believe that the journey to discovering and accepting our own identities is something that resonates with everyone.

Is there anything else you want to share about your book? 

I would like to invite your audience to join me on the journey to spread this powerful message by supporting The Purple Grasshopper on Kickstarter. 

Final thoughts on The Purple Grasshopper

The Purple Grasshopper is an important book that can help parents introduce topics like individuality, diversity, and acceptance to even the youngest children. We at Twins Magazine are excited to be able to share this book with all of our readers.

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