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Why do Americans and foreigners alike describe the USA as prudish? Why do I see nothing prudish about the USA society? USA feels like one of the loosest countries although Americans claim to be very reserved.

12.06.2025 00:31

Why do Americans and foreigners alike describe the USA as prudish? Why do I see nothing prudish about the USA society? USA feels like one of the loosest countries although Americans claim to be very reserved.

For 34 years, movie and TV studios censored themselves to appease the Puritanical whims of Will Hays.

nudity, or even suggestions of it (e.g. a silhouette)

Some ridiculous highlights of the code in effect banned or discouraged:

'JC, Take the Wheel!' Kevin Smith Looks Back on His Hilariously Heretical 'Dogma' 25 Years Later - Rolling Stone

couples in the same bed, even if married. (Laurel and Hardy came before the code)

sexual perversion, including homosexuality (naturally), and sexual relationships between the white and black races.

disrespect of authority figures. Crooked judges are OK if they are also clearly portrayed as evil people

If Russia needs the resources to fund the war in Ukraine, why doesn’t it throw open its doors to visa free western tourism? Enough people would be interested, & it would start to get some hard currency as €, CHF, £, SEK, $, JPY in the tills at shops.

toilets being shown

Remember the Hays Code?

the display of bellybuttons

To prevent blackouts, Trump administration keeps another aging power plant online through summer - AP News

The ridiculous 2004 Superbowl ‘Nipplegate’ was a more recent reminder of how US attitudes have not really advanced much since the Hays code.

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

Meanwhile, the rest of the world still sniggers at American prudishness.

Do you ever feel like you are doing good, but would do better if people hadn’t blamed you or even bothered you? I have gotten lonely, but I always am up to something (creating my destiny).

any profanity to the Christian religion, e.g. hell, damn, God (unless used in a holy sense), or ridicule of the clergy.