When? at what point in time are you asking about?
The Land Ordinance of 1785 created an organized way to settle land in the west by creating townships; the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 created a means of governing these townships and provided a means for the territories to become states.
They would agree with this to a certain extent. The role of the extended family has of course lost it's major importance; taking care for the youngest members of a family; babies. But nevertheless, the wider family plays an important role as a support structure.
