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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.

Last Updated: 30.06.2025 05:50

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.

toilets being shown

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

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

Club World Cup: Qualified and eliminated teams - FIFA

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

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

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

French Open 2025 results: Jannik Sinner cruises into semi-finals with victory over Alexander Bublik - BBC

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

Remember the Hays Code?

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

401(k) millionaires fell in the first quarter — but it’s not all bad news - MarketWatch

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

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

the display of bellybuttons

Air India plane crash death toll rises to 270 - BBC

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