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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 00:08

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.

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

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

Catch Jupiter and Mercury side by side in the evening sky this week - Space

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.

toilets being shown

What is your most intimate experience with your best friend?

the display of bellybuttons

Remember the Hays Code?

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

Webb telescope detects water vapor on a planet outside the solar system smaller than Neptune - Earth.com

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

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

Why is Tiananmen Square censored?

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