I actually think it should be even whether the parent provides the income or the student works for the income. You don't want the parent subsidizing the entertainment needs of their child's friend/partner. That's kind of like "using" the parent to subsidize their child's friend's desire to conserve funds and not pay their own way. Kind of yuck! If the child's friend/partner has a job, then by all means the child's friend can pay! Otherwise skip the movies or drinks. Just my two cents from a parent's point of view.... (BTW, no matter your stage in life, a great way to save money is not to buy drinks--alcoholic or otherwise--with your meal when you go out for dinner. I have saved thousands of dollars [and calories] over the years by always just drinking water.)