Years ago this rule-of-thumb stated that a man is most attracted physically to a woman half his age plus seven. But in recent years this rule has been perverted. The new meaning is that dating a woman younger than "half your age plus seven" is considered anything from "inappropriate" to "indecent".

How superficial is that.

Other superficial rules have fallen away over time.
- Religion: In our society today, most people approve of a romance where the participants have different religions. Right?
- Height: It's ok for the woman to be taller than the man. No?
- Race/Ethnicity: They might be different races, ethnicities, or come from vasty different cultures / nations, and that is ok, right?
- Gender: A majority even approve of same-sex relationships.

But G-d forbid that a 50 year old man should date a 31 year old woman? This is indecent?

If you really are judging other peoples romantic relationships by this "half plus seven" rule, you need to do some soul searching.
That young guy is complaining because the women he's attracted to is dating an older man. He says they break the "half your age plus seven" rule. But hey, they sure look happy together!
by Michael-A June 29, 2013
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A totally idiotic and anti-Erotic (with reference to the god of love himself) dividing-line, whereby one may not make a Romantic/erotic/sexual move toward someone who is not at least half one's age, plus seven more years. (Or as non-terrans sometimes say in SF stories, "seven of your years," as though to make the point about the relativity of it all,)
Phaedrus: That gladiator-in-training over there sure has the moves, n'est-ce pas?

Xanthias: Shame on you! He is only 19 years of age, and your are 26! Don't you understand that the "half your age plus seven" rule is the will of the gods?!

Phaedrus: Right, tell Aphrodite that, after she pounced on that cute Trojan cowboy Anchises; tell Zeus that, after he swept away that other cute Trojan, Ganymede.
by Caniscandida September 12, 2009
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A convenient rule to define the youngest that a romantic interest can be before the relationship is indecent. Widely referred to and used, the rule has merit for usefulness. The full version states: "if you halve your years then add seven, you'll have the youngest decent age for a partner; if you double your years then subtract seven, you'll have the oldest decent age for a partner".
However it's somewhat flawed thanks to the poor mathematical ability of its authors -- it gives a different result depending on whether it is worked out for a younger or older partner.
26-year-old Barbara waited patiently until Jack turned 20, fulfilling the half-your-age-plus-seven rule, before pursuing him romantically.
by kriswa July 28, 2007
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A mathematical equation used to find the youngest age a person can date without being considered a disgusting, cradle robbing freak. (A/2)-7=Y, where A is your age and Y is the youngest you should date.

Conversely the rule can be inverted to find the oldest age a person should date. 2(A-7)=O, where A is your age and O is the oldest you should date.
John is 26 and dating a 20 year old named Kate, (26/2)+7=20. Their relationship satisfies the half your age plus 7 rule.

Kate is 20 and dating a 26 year old named John. 2(20-7)=26. This relationships satisfies the inverse of the half your age plus seven rule.
by Trojan91 July 18, 2012
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