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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.

13.06.2025 00:38

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.

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

the display of bellybuttons

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

If my heart stopped beating, would I have enough energy to walk out into the other room 20 ft away before I passed out and died?

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

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

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

Two of my family members have recently converted to Islam and have brought shame on my family. How do I get them back into the fold of Hinduism?

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

toilets being shown

Remember the Hays Code?

If freedom of speech is absolute, how come it's not applied for private spaces and for the Internet?

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.

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

Posting Memes With Pride - Vulture

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