Dating App Upward Introduces 'Chivalry Mode' Amid Gen Z's Desire for Intentional Courtship

Match Group’s dating app Upward has launched “Chivalry Mode,” a new feature that encourages men to make the first move, signaling a shift in how younger singles approach dating. This move caters to a segment of Gen Z users who express a preference for more traditional courtship, a trend that appears to be gaining traction online.

The “Chivalry Mode” is designed for pairs of users who opt into the feature, prompting the man to initiate the conversation. This is coupled with other new features on Upward, including a “Marriage Timeline” for users to share their wedding aspirations and a “Core Values” section to highlight priorities.

Match Group’s research indicates a significant desire for marriage among younger generations, with 72% of Gen Z singles expressing this goal. Upward’s user base reportedly shows an even stronger inclination towards marriage, with nearly all members aged 18-30 wanting a family.

This feature launch coincides with a broader online resurgence of traditional relationship dynamics. Terms like “feminine energy” and “provider men” are increasingly common, amplified by social media influencers showcasing domestic lifestyles, early marriages, and stay-at-home roles. Figures like Nara Smith, who posts curated content of homemaking, have garnered significant attention.

However, dating experts suggest that the appeal of features like “Chivalry Mode” may not indicate a wholesale return to 1950s gender roles for Gen Z women. Instead, they interpret it as a desire for more intentionality and clarity in dating, with individuals still defining these dynamics on their own terms.

“I read it as a generation that may be craving more intentionality in dating while still wanting to define what that looks like for themselves,” said Susan Trombetti, matchmaker and CEO of Exclusive Matchmaking. She emphasized that while a woman may desire a man who pursues her, the key is that such dynamics should be a mutual choice rather than an imposed expectation.

Similarly, Adam Cohen-Aslatei, CEO of matchmaking company Three Day Rule, noted that many accomplished women find it refreshing for a man to take the lead in initiating contact, given their demanding professional lives. He suggested that the core issue for many young singles might not be an abandonment of relationships, but rather exhaustion from the ambiguity often present in online dating.

“There’s so much ambiguity about intentions on the apps,” Cohen-Aslatei stated, highlighting that many young people are open about their long-term goals, including marriage, even if immediate commitment isn't on the horizon.

Upward’s introduction of “Chivalry Mode” and related features appears to be an attempt to address this perceived ambiguity, offering a platform where users can be more upfront about their intentions and preferences in the search for a partner.