My boyfriend wants space, but there should be some limit, right?

ok my boyfriend of 1 1/2 years just told me that he's afraid of being in a commitment. He said that he wants to be able to be married to me without regretting that he didn't do all the things he had wanted to do when he was younger. I told him that if he wants to have his "space" then I will give it to him. It's just if he wants to hang out with his friends that are either girls or guys I should be able to know where they're going and doing. He said that he's afraid to let me know if he wants to hang out with his friends because I might get jealous. I told him as long as he's not hiding it and not going to do anything with the girls (you know flirting, sex..etc) then I will be fine with it. I just want him to be open to me about it. You know for example if he wants to chill with his friends he could say, "hey babe, remember that girl/boy I met over at blah blah blah, well they want to hang out, drink a couple of beer/shoot pool, would it be ok with you if I go?" Then I will say either

if I'm ok with it or not depending on the situation or if we have plan together. I told him I want my space also, so he should go hang out with his friends. We see each other everyday because first we work together (rarely really see each other because we work in 2 separate building) and second we bought a house together so we live together. I know I should give him space, but how can I let him know that he should give me some time also...you know being sweet and loving towards me, without him thinking that I'm being jealous or being needy. I think it's my right as his girlfriend to get some attention from him, right?

Understand the situation all too well. My fianc茅 always felt like I wasn't paying enough attention to her (which I wasn't), and I always felt like no matter who she was talking to, there was something behind it. The roles were reversed, but the situation is the same- we lacked the communication skills necessary to understand how the other person was really thinking about each situation. I highly suggest the book "Mars and Venus: Together Forever" - It's one of the best communication books for couples out there, and it's so simply written that it's easy to get wrapped up in it (moreso if you've never read a self-help book before). I can't tell you how much more understanding we both are after reading that book.