Twins are often depicted in movies as being inseparable and the best of friends. There’s the plotting sisters of “The Parent Trap,” and the squeaking trio of “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” all purporting to be happy siblings. However, in reality, twins can have different personalities that conflict if they spend too much time together. At WESS this is all too evident when twins are in classes together. Despite good intentions, it creates conflicts between siblings and can be a major distraction. Out of a grade of 120 kids, twelve of whom are twins, sometimes placing them together can be inevitable. Overall, it should be avoided.

 For example, my twin brother, Kirby Oppenheimer, says, “We should be separated because every little thing I do you tell on me and then I get in trouble.” 

We have different perspectives, and what I see it as me being helpful in trying to keep him in line and as successful as possible, and he sees as me being a nag. 

While I can see why some may want to keep their twins together so that they will be there for each other, I personally do not think that twins should be kept in the same classes. According to twin Leo Locatell, “When we fight it is distracting.” 

As twins spend so much time together at home, they need their own space in school or else they become disruptive to both themselves and the class as a whole. Annabelle Alton feels that when siblings are in classes they, “…bring personal stuff into class…” This contributes to a negative learning environment as it creates conflict, and therefore, people become less focused and don’t pay as much attention to their work.

Almost any behavior from my twin is distracting. When our siblings do something wrong it causes us to feel embarrassed which can take away from our learning as it makes us less focused. Twins should be separated in classes to ensure that students can focus the best they can and ensure that the rest of the class is free to learn without distractions.