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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 16:33

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.

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

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

Remember the Hays Code?

'Collateral damage': Fund managers lobby Congress over Section 899 to avert foreign investors leaving the U.S. - CNBC

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

toilets being shown

the display of bellybuttons

How Creatine Became So Popular With Women - WSJ

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.

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

Childhood leukemia: how a deadly cancer became treatable - Our World in Data

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

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

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

Australia on the verge of qualification - FIFA

lustful kissing is to be shown with care