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I don't see families as cliques really, at least in my chapter. It can make a chapter seem smaller and easier to access, especially for new members, and it can also help bridge the gap between pledge classes as well as between collegians and alumnae. I was pretty shy at first when I joined, and I definitely would not be as close with my "family" members as I am now had I not been placed with them and included in family events, etc. Big-little relationships tend to be pretty close in our chapter, and essentially having a "family" just builds on that- kind of like meeting people through your friends. I don't really see it as being that different from other subgroups within the chapter (like we have prides, etc) except it's more long-term and usually much closer. I certainly don't think they break up the overall sisterhood in any way.
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