Ageism has taken its place beside sexism and racism not only in society but also in the arenas of social science research and policy. Survey data obtained from an extensive questionnaire published in three North American daily newspapers in 1980 from 2,026 adults, aged 18-90, were examined to debunk the myth of loneliness in old age. The data revealed that older people tended to be less lonely than their young or middle-aged counterparts. Older people who lived alone were no less satisfied with the quality of their social lives than those who lived with others. An expressed dissatisfaction with available relationships was a more powerful indicator of loneliness. A social-ecological approach to studying the socially defined problems of aging was supported. Because these problems have no single or simple cause, the findings suggest that the results should be studied using multiple levels of analysis and multiple perspectives in a lifespan framework, stressing the interplay between personal and environmental factors. (Author/JAC)