"One of the supposed features of old age that has attracted much attention is loneliness. Hamilton B. Gibson questions this assumption, and with a wealth of material drawn from both literature and much modern research, including his own, makes the case that living in the Third Age does not necessarily entail loneliness. Loneliness is a complex concept and involves many different types, which are described and analysed in this book. Loneliness differs from solitary living, which may be deliberately sought and appreciated. Living in the Third Age often entails solitariness, the benefits of which are discussed. The young may be lonely because they are much concerned with forming new personal relationships and integration into fresh social networks - hence the solitary state is frequently miserable for them. In the later years of life when people have reached a greater maturity this is less frequently the case."--Jacket.