According to the rule, the age of the younger partner (regardless of gender) should be no less than seven more than half the older partners age. Martin, then, shouldnt date anyone younger than 26 and a half; Lawrence shouldnt go above 34. The rule is widely cited, but its origins are hard to pin down.

Is 10 years too much of an age gap between couples?

Anything more than a 10-year age gap means partners grew up in different eras and might have different life expectations. But according to Nelson, while there is no true age limit to dating between consenting adults, a 10-year age difference can mean partners grew up in different generations.