Nowadays, many people in cities live alone or with small family instead of extended family. In my opinion, this development is more negative than positive because families become less close and many people feel lonely.
Firstly, living in small family have some advantages. People can have more privacy and freedom in their life. Young adults can make own decisions and do not need listen older family members all time. Also, in urban areas houses and apartments are expensive and not very big, so it is difficult for large families to live together. Because of this, many people choose to live alone or only with husband, wife and children.
However, there are many disadvantages too. One big problem is loneliness. People who live alone sometimes feel sad and stressed because they do not have close relatives near them. In the past, extended families helped each other with childcare, money and house work, but now this support is smaller. For example, parents in cities often must work a lot and they do not have grandparents nearby to help with children.
Another negative point is that family relationships become weaker. Children may not spend enough time with grandparents, cousins or other relatives. Because of this, family traditions can slowly disappear. Also, old people may feel alone because younger generation live separately in different places.
In conclusion, although living in small family units gives more independence and privacy, I think it is mostly negative development. It can create loneliness and weaker connection between family members in modern society.