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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.

11.06.2025 23:43

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.

toilets being shown

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

What makes outside showers appealing? Why are they not commonly seen?

the display of bellybuttons

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.

Can someone write me a sex story?

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

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

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

End of an Era: Landsat 7 Decommissioned After 25 Years of Earth Observation - USGS (.gov)

Remember the Hays Code?

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

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

Does Taylor Swift actually play the guitar, or is it a prop?

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