Which Parent Determines Twins? The Truth Behind Twin Genetics
The Short Answer: It’s Not So Simple
So, who decides if you’re having twins — mom or dad? Well... it’s a bit more complicated than just pointing fingers. While moms often get all the attention during pregnancy (fair enough), the genetics of twinning sneakily involve both sides. But in certain cases, yeah — one parent plays a bigger role.
Let’s unpack that.
Fraternal vs. Identical Twins: Big Difference
First things first, not all twins are the same. We’ve got:
Identical (monozygotic) twins
One egg, one sperm.
The fertilized egg splits into two embryos.
Totally random event.
No genetic influence — it just… happens.
That means neither the mother nor the father determines if identical twins occur. It’s like flipping a cosmic coin.
Fraternal (dizygotic) twins
Two eggs, two sperm.
Each egg gets fertilized separately.
These are the ones where genetics play a role.
And here's where things get juicy.
The Mother’s Role: Ovulation is Key
Fraternal twins only happen when two eggs are released in one cycle — a process called hyperovulation. And guess who controls ovulation? Yep, the mother.
Genetic predisposition to hyperovulation
This trait — releasing multiple eggs — can be inherited, but only through the mother’s side. So if your mom or grandma had fraternal twins, your chances go up. And by "your," we mean if you're a woman.
Quick real-life moment: my cousin Lisa had twins, and her OB asked if it ran in the family. Turns out our great-aunt had twins back in the 50s. We all just went, “Ohhh… that explains it.”
If you're a guy with twin relatives, sorry — you can't pass that twinning gene. You can carry it, but you won’t express it. Unless you're passing it to your daughters. Then maybe.
The Father’s Role: Not Totally Useless
Okay, okay — dads aren’t totally out of the game. While men don’t ovulate (obviously), they can influence other aspects that might increase the odds a bit. For example:
Some studies suggest that certain sperm characteristics might impact embryo development or survival.
Taller, well-fed men may statistically father more twins — but we’re talking micro-effects here.
Bottom line? The father doesn’t determine fraternal twinning directly, but may have small, indirect influence.
Other Factors That Can Lead to Twins
Just to throw a wrench in the "which parent" question, let’s not forget the non-genetic stuff that affects twinning:
Age: Women over 35 are more likely to release multiple eggs.
Fertility treatments: Like IVF or ovulation-stimulating meds (these dramatically increase twin chances).
Diet and body type: Some data suggests well-nourished women have higher twinning rates.
Ethnicity: Certain populations have higher fraternal twin rates (e.g., West African descent).
See? It’s not always mom or dad — sometimes it’s science, sometimes luck, sometimes hormones gone wild.
Final Thought: Who Really “Determines” Twins?
So after all that... who determines twins? Here's the quick rundown:
Identical twins? Random. No one determines that.
Fraternal twins? Mostly mom, through her genetics and biology.
Dad’s role? Mostly on the sidelines, with a rare genetic assist.
And you know what? Even with all the science, twins still feel like a surprise gift from the universe. One that may or may not keep you up all night — in stereo.
Anyway, whether it’s nature, nurture, or just wild luck — if you end up with twins, congrats. Double the trouble... but also, double the love.
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Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.