you got some fucked up movie style idea of a relationship Ozz
I'm not saying spend every hour you have free with the person. Everyone needs time to themselves to just decompress or whatever (I know I do). I'm just curious why it is hard to find a balance if you're in a relationship:
You have a SO who feels neglected because all of the other person's time is taken up by school, work and other obligations. She has eliminated hanging out with friends more as part of trying to make more 'balance'. Even after this, she has roughly 7 hours per week to spend in one of the following ways:
1) All by herself
2) All with her SO
3) A combination of 1 & 2
I think ideally her SO would like #2, but it isn't realistic. #1 is just neglecting the SO even more than now and leads to resentment and him finding a potential 'side chick' (RIP Patrice O'Neal) to fill the void. #3 is the best compromise. It needs to somehow be split between her and her SO and they need to agree on a reasonable balance.
I agree with Dak though. What is his purpose if she doesn't want to give him time to hang out?
If a reasonable balance can't be reached, why should the relationship even continue? Do both parties even want the relationship to continue? Something leads me to believe all isn't hunky dory in Emily's world if she's juggling 2(?) jobs, school and other obligations and not leaving any time for herself or her SO. If she is having difficulty finding a choice between the two, something has to give at some point.
If I were in the situation, I would end it. My happiness is paramount to anyone else in my life in coordination with family and close friends.