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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.

10.06.2025 11:28

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.

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

Scoop: Treasury officials defend "revenge tax" from wary GOP senators - Axios

the display of bellybuttons

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

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

How can the citizens of Russia accept the enormous difference between people? The richest 500 Russians own more than the poorest 99.8% of the entire Russian population combined. Why don't we see any protests?

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

Remember the Hays Code?

Engineers bring Psyche's thrusters back online - theregister.com

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

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

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

Sorting Out Long COVID Symptoms in Babies - Medscape

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