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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.

Last Updated: 18.06.2025 01:36

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.

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

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

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

What’s the weirdest phone call you have ever received?

toilets being shown

Remember the Hays Code?

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

What do you remember that 95% of us have forgotten?

the display of bellybuttons

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

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

Can you explain the concept of an annulment of marriage in the Roman Catholic Church and its effects on a previous marriage?

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)

Salary you need to live comfortably in Virginia in 2025, according to new study - 13newsnow.com

lustful kissing is to be shown with care