This is a very old rule of thumb: it is the calculation applied to a man's age that provides the age in a woman that he is most naturally attracted to physically. (Things change of course once you begin to actually TALK! :-o )
In recent years it has been misapplied to mean the lowest age that would be considered "decent" for him to date.
This new interpretation of the rule is actually quite bizarre when you consider the remarkable range of maturity among adults of both sexes at all ages.
In recent years it has been misapplied to mean the lowest age that would be considered "decent" for him to date.
This new interpretation of the rule is actually quite bizarre when you consider the remarkable range of maturity among adults of both sexes at all ages.
That 50 year old think's he'll be able to romance that 32 year old. I'm not surprised he's attracted to her - she is the proverbial "half-your-age-plus-seven" - but let's see how far they really go together.
by Art M. September 11, 2009
A clarification: the formula mentioned to determine WHEN an inappropriate relationship becomes appropriate is incorrect. The correct formula is to double the difference between the appropriate age of the younger person and the younger person's actual age. Conversely, this will equal the difference between the appropriate age of the older person and the older person's actual age. A SIMPLER FORMULA: The older person's age plus 14 minus twice the younger person.
Tim is 46; his girlfriend is 27. He shouldn't date under 30 according to the half-your-age-plus-seven rule; she shouldn't date anyone over 40. The relationship becomes appropriate in six years: 2 x (30-27) or 46-40, OR 46 + 14 - (2 x 27).
by TashTish December 27, 2014
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.
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
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.
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
There's 1300 reviews on this phrase, and no one has managed to figure out the reverse of this rule? Surely my town wasn't the brightest of the lot?
If you're 40, 27 and younger is skezy, as 40/2+7 = 27.
If you're 40, 53 and older is skezy, as 40*3/2-7 = 53.
If you're 40, 27 and younger is skezy, as 40/2+7 = 27.
If you're 40, 53 and older is skezy, as 40*3/2-7 = 53.
by ep1032 October 16, 2010
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.
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
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.
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.
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