This rule states that by dividing your own age by two and then adding seven you can find the socially acceptable minimum age of anyone you want to date. So if youre a 24-year-old, you can feel free to be with anyone who is at least 19 (12 + 7) but not someone who is 18.

How many years is too much of an age gap?

A relationship age gap bigger than 10 years often comes with its own set of issues. “While there are always exceptions to rules, a good rule to remember is that dating someone more than 10 years older will present challenges now or later that add to the preexisting challenges any relationship has,” he says.