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: 01.07.2025 01:07

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

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

the display of bellybuttons

Can I add pencil on top of my dry brush oil painting? Reason being it's easier to draw darker hair colour. Will pencil lead and oil paint interact and cause something horrible?

Remember the Hays Code?

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

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

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

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 don't the 'West' realize that the solution to the conflict in the Middle East is to end the "unlimited" support for Israel, and finally listen to the grievances of Israel's neighbors for a 'change'?

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

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

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

What do you think of the 2 female 18 and 19 year-old German tourists, detained in Honolulu, strip-searched, put in green jumpsuits, placed in a holding cell and the next day deported, for the terrible crime of not pre-booking a hotel for their trip?

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