kinda a vent

So my bf and I always pay for every other date. It usually evens out but we are a couple and have been for two years. The other night his parents were saying how I should never pay and if he makes me I should break up with him. It's not like I have a problem paying at all and I actually want to. Is this just how his parents were raised? My parents aren't like this. I wish my bf would have spoken up and explained how we pay and split the costs. I felt like he agreed with them and he made me feel bad since I'm not paying. I'm not trying to prove I'm equal to him but paying because I feel it's only fair. What do you think?