half-your-age-plus-seven rule


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

The "half-your-age-plus-seven" rule[edit]

half-age-plus-seven rule
The "never date anyone under half your age plus seven" rule is a rule of thumb sometimes used to judge whether the age differences in potential intimate relationships are socially acceptable within the American culture.[19][20][21]

Although the origin of the rule is unclear, it is sometimes considered to have French origin.[19] There is no scientific evidence to support the rule.

In the earlier sources the rule had a different interpretation than in contemporary culture, as it was understood as a formula to calculate suitable age for the bride, instead of a lower limit for the suitable age. Max O'Rell's Her Royal Highness Woman from 1901 gives the rule in the format "A man should marry a woman half his age, plus seven."[22] Similar interpretation is also present in the 1951 play The Moon Is Blue by F. Hugh Herbert.[23]

The half-your-age-plus seven rule also appears in John Fox, Jr.'s The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come in 1903,[24] in American newspapers in 1931, attributed to Maurice Chevalier,[25] and in The Autobiography of Malcolm X.[26]

In modern times this rule has been criticised as being more accurate for men than women, and for allowing a greater maximum age for a woman's partner later in her life than is actually socially acceptable.[27]