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: 02.07.2025 02:07

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.

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

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

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

What is something you saw while on an airplane that you couldn't believe?

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

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

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

Apple Has a Huge Siri Problem That WWDC 2025 Probably Won’t Fix - Gizmodo

Remember the Hays Code?

the display of bellybuttons

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

Europe will have to be more Tenacious to land its first rover on the moon - TechCrunch

toilets being shown

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

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

This overlooked cause of PTSD is only going to get worse - vox.com

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