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Young adults in Norway mostly choose cohabitation as their first co-residential union and the age of first union formation is comparatively low. However, dissolution rates are higher in Norway than in most other parts of Europe, potentially leading to unstable relationship careers in young adulthood. Using recent survey data from Norway on men and women born 1927–73 ( N = 9, 723), we analyze the prevalence and correlates of the number of co-residential unions experienced by the age of 35. We find that the number of co-residential relationships has increased across cohorts, but this development has slowed down among the youngest cohorts. The type of the first union plays a crucial role, and young adults who did not marry their first cohabiting partner have a higher likelihood of experiencing several co-residential unions than those who married directly or via cohabitation.

This study focuses on the possible effect of gender equality and equity in the family on the transition to first, second and third births. The analysis includes the division of housework and childcare as well as the perception of whether this division is fair and just. We use a unique dataset combining data from the Norwegian GGS (2007) with information from population register on subsequent childbirths. Results indicate a varying effect of gender equality in the family on childbearing. An unequal division of housework has a negative effect on first and subsequent births. Couples were men contribute more to housework than women, have lower likelihood of first and second births compared to couples with a more typical division where women do more but men contribute substantially. In the same way, couples where the woman does almost all housework has lower likelihood of a third birth. Even though the division of childcare has no substantial impact on continued childbearing, the perception of this division is relevant for parents with one child. Couples in which the respondent perceives the division of childcare as less equitable are less likely to get a second child.

No support is found in this experimental comparison of the effectiveness of TV, movies, sound and print for McLuhan's idea that TV is ‘cool’ and movies ‘hot.’

The preceding article defines convenience, shopping, and specialty goods in light of Festinger's theory of cognitive dissonance. In contrast, this article reports shopping behavior research which puts the classification of consumer goods in yet another perspective. The authors specifically question whether customers want to search in several stores before making buying decisions for certain types of merchandise. The answer to this question may hold important implications for future trends in channel policies, store locations, and retailing techniques.

Accuracy in consumer surveys can be influenced greatly by the degree to which the interviewer is “accepted” by the persons he seeks to question. Can the refusal rate be cut and the degree of acceptance increased if respondents are contacted by letter or phone before the interviewer's visit? The authors report on an experiment designed to answer this question.