Logo

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.

Last Updated: 29.06.2025 00:37

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.

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

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

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

How do you explain the involvement of a mainland Chinese visitor, her local relative, and a 65-year-old friend of the latter in the suspected money laundering case seized by Hong Kong police?

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

the display of bellybuttons

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

Cave art discovery depicts an animal that went extinct 280-million-years ago, baffling scientists - Earth.com

toilets being shown

Remember the Hays Code?

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

Climate models with low sensitivity to greenhouse gases do not align with satellite measurements - Phys.org

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

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

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

RBC Canadian Open Odds, Picks, Predictions: Best Bets, Props, OAD - Lineups

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