My boyfriend does not feel comfortable if I go to social events such as meetups without him. He is okay if I go out with girlfriends I already know or with my family, but not meetups and other such events. He does not go to social events without me or out with friends by himself. He says that it is something really important to him because in past relationships, each partner going out by themself has caused nothing but trouble for the relationship. I tried explaining to him that meetups are important to me because of networking (I am looking for more work, and I find that the only way to get jobs nowadays is who you know), talking to people with similar interests, practicing my other languages, and meeting more girlfriends (I don't really have many girlfriends in the area since I moved here just a year ago and in my type of work I don't get the chance to meet other people aside from clients, which I'm not allowed to socialize with). He says it's not okay since men will be there and might flirt with me. I said I doubt they will flirt with me but even if they did, I love him and would not reciprocate. He said that he has rejected many invitations to go out with female friends and male friends because of our relationship (even though I never asked him to do so), but if that's how I want it I will see what happens. I told him that sounded like a threat and what did he mean by that. He said that I should invite him first and if he can't go then I should stay home. I said it's not fair because he works more hours than I do and I don't want to stay home doing nothing and missing out on an opportunity because of that. He said he can't understand why if he does this for me why I can't do it for him if it is something so important to do. Everything else in our relationship is great. He is not controlling in other aspects, but the principle of this concerns me. I really want to stay together, but I am not willing to give this up on principle (even though it's not necessarily something I love doing anyway). Any advice would help!