This research parallels two earlier investigations of preindustrial American family patterns during the periods of 1741-1794 and 1794-1825. The present investigation involves a content analysis of magazines for the third period, 1825-1850. Special attention is given to power patterns between husband and wife, romantic love, motivations for marriage, and advocated and actual sanctions implemented toward individuals involved in premarital and extramarital sexual relationships. The results suggest a marked increase in the power of the woman. Romantic love and personal happiness emerge as important criteria in mate selection. It is suggested that in the period 1825-1850 magazine content indicates a significant move from a traditional to a more emancipated family with new alternatives. The limitations of these findings are discussed and include the problem of identifying the precise period in which industrialization in America emerged, the implications which this difficulty poses for the interpretation of our data. The special problems of causal analysis in understanding family change are also noted.