Logo

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 11:13

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.

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

'Club World Ca$h Grab': Players don protest shirts at pregame - Sounder at Heart

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

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

the display of bellybuttons

Discovery of 100-million-year-old dinosaur eggs reveals life in Jurassic America - Earth.com

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

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

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

Team of the Matchday: Tani carries Minnesota, Joveljić sparks Sporting KC - MLSsoccer.com

Remember the Hays Code?

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

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

My cantankerous beagle is very badly behaved at the dog park and always starts barking at the other dogs. Would pepper spray be an effective method to correct his inappropriate behavior?

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