soooo, it does matter!

Age does not influence my decision to date someone I want to date, however, if age does concern you, then you should date only within an age range you prefer, in my opinion. Providing the people involved are both able to marry age should should not matter.

Regarding an age range, I posted this I found on the Internet last month which might be of help

The "Social Acceptance" of age difference, what does society view as an acceptable age difference?
Searching the internet, I found what is known as the 50% + 7 Rule, to determine the minimum and maximum age of a socially acceptable partner.
An example was given as follows for someone aged 40, that is when X = 40. the age of a partner should fall between the two ages calculated as follows.

Minimum age = 1/2(X) + 7 = 1/2(40) + 7 = 27 years old

Maximum age = 2(X - 7) = 2(40 - 7) = 66 years old

Interesting and I can only assume it was arrived at from a statistical survey, from asking people. Here is the web address if interested.

http://www.yofx.org/?p=2255

I'm with the 10 years either way of myself. Otherwise, would possibly be too much of a generational gap.

Yes it does for me....will most likely not date anyone who is too young or too old for me...the younger one might not have the same level of maturity as mine...don't want anyone too old for me because I want to be with someone who can also be with me until I grow old...too idealistic?

I think whatever you feel comfortable with.. I've dated a few guys younger than me but some were more mature.. Personally I won't even consider dating one that's younger than my oldest child. She's 53 and that is way young for me.. Sixty + is a good starting point for me. Also older is ok if they can keep up..LOL

It matters to me also. The 10 yr. rule sounds good. Need to be able to relate...life experiences and all.

I have a four year rule. I like it when my S.O is at least around the same age as me more likely to be going through the same kinds of things and be at the same points in our lives.

it does matter but I don;t have a rule.

Most of them are not single (in my age range). I dated younger men for a few years because they were really single (versus lying about being single). So it's also true that men in my age range tend on the internet anyway - to lie about their actual availability so I no longer look for men in my age range on here. I am sure there are many truthful ones too, but it really narrows the field to have to eliminate the large amount who are already married and then on top of that the ones who lie about being single.

so I tend to leave all avenues open, but I am with Moe on the over 30 thing. For me it would be more like over 35....and once you get up into that age range, most are already married. So my head spins thinking about it. Therefore I don;t. I really don;t "date."

Well said.

((((((Kevin))))))

I agree. It is a simple preference like any other.

It's interesting what Lion's Brew said tho because one guy I dated , it didn't last because he had too many commitments with his teenage kids (but I think he was not being completely honest...I think some of those commitments included a wife...ahem). So the man I actually ended up dating was a lot younger...he had more time to date because he was young and had no kids..etc. And I was older, divorced and had a more similar lifestyle to a younger person. But that kind of thing is not going to last if he wants to start a family. So I really do not usually date in that age range any more. It was too much drama for me wrestling with that issue

for me 10 years either way is too much. would mean a range from 37 - 57, neither appeal to me, think the gap in experience etc. is just a tad too much.

I'm with Lion, 4 years is pretty cool! Willing to go to 6 years older ( if the guy concerned isn't old as in old, lol), but 6 years younger, don't think so.
My preference would be same age - 3+

no one younger than me, maybe 10 years older than me... depends on person

Ten years between a man and a woman is okay. I wouldn't date a younger man. Call me insecure but I wouldn't.

Honestly, To me age is just a number. Im not saying its ok for a 15 year old to date a 30 year old, But you shouldn't let age decide who you love or not.

This topic reminds me of how teenage sexual preditors build to their pick up line.. before you know it they are calling into work with a school bell in the background left on the answering machine at work...

well spoken