There are many references about how the AS have to turn their backs on family, having the White Tower provide the family they need.  I thought that a really interesting plot line would be about an AS that DOES keep in touch with relatives through the years, and the different twists and turns that would lead them through.  Some of them do go through this to some degree with Warders, but family would be different.

There is reference to those that keep in touch with their family. It's actually the basis for how Pevara picks other Red sisters to approach the Black Tower. Melare, for instance, who sends money for the education of her great neices and nephews.