Your rule for dating.

[SovietPanda]

i like my women like i like my scotch... 12 years old and mixed up on coke

does that count??

 

[WolfThomas]

Over 18 and it feels right. Is there any other answer?

 

[StormShaun]

I try to date some one thats within 4 years of my age, any older or younger is no good.

 

[InfiniteSingularity]

Fairly sure we've had a number of threads regarding this.

Only a matter of time before the 'half age +7 yrs' thingy gets brought up.

Personally, I've only ever dated girls who were a few months older or younger. But that's kind of irrelevant. Emotional maturity of individuals in question is more important than physical age (but keeping it legal, of course...).

Yes, it's only a matter of ti-

Oh wait

 

[gbemery]

As long as you're happy and legal, who cares.

It's way more complex than that.

But like with everything, there are exceptions.

I know you said there are exceptions and yes there are but he did make a very accurate mention that does sum it up pretty well. Maybe you're not happy with emotional immaturity but some other might be (not I) so others might be happy with it and if both are legal consenting parties who cares the age. If you want more emotional maturity than yes it becomes more complex but only in finding a person who is mature. That person could still be right at the age of consent, but you're still happy and legal so...again their quote is all that's needed.

 

[spazzattack]

The Half +7 is a good one. Age isn't so much important if the other crucial factors are there, such as being able to argue without fighting, being able to sit with each other without talking, and having a lot in common without everything being in common.

Also I like the adage, "Don't stick your dick in crazy."

 

[Meggiepants]

I think for the very young, dating someone very close to their age is a good thing. Under 16 really it should be +/- 1 year. More than that is a measurable difference in maturity that an lead to them being taken advantage of. 16-17, probably should be within 2 years. There are of course exceptions, but the 16 year old is no safer with a 19 year old than a 40 year old. Once you hit 18, you are an adult and your brain is almost done cooking, whatever works for you...

Mostly this. Once you are an adult, it really doesn't matter much. However, I would say people become adults at different ages. I don't think it necessarily happens at 18. I've met 24 year-olds whose brains needed a little more time in the oven. It really depends on the person.

I think a lot of the age gap issue has to do with societal norms. Both of my sets of grandparents had quite the age gap. In their day, women got married young to men who could support them and a family. Men like that tended to be older. It was not uncommon to have age gaps of ten to twenty years then. Go back further and people were considered adults at an even younger age. Clearly by today's standards, things have changed quite a bit.

In any case, once you are an adult, the number of years you've been alive means far less than so many other things. Maturity, common interests, compatibility, these are the things that will create a lasting relationship. A small age gap won't mean anything when you both grow bored with each other.

 

[Wuggy]

For the record, I'm 19. I've only gone one year below and above my age. That has been quite succesfull as far as emotional maturity goes. Although, I wouldn't say that it's a "rule" for me, that's just a way it has worked out so far.

 

[ShadowDude112]

Nice, good looking, intelligent, little to no drama. I don't mind it once in a while but not 24/7. Also, someone who likes some of the stuff I like. Maybe DBZ and TF2 would be nice.