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: 02.07.2025 15:24

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

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

Remember the Hays Code?

Judge tells Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni to work out dispute over dismissal of emotional distress claims - NBC News

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

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)

Zoning Out Makes You Smarter? Study Shows Surprising Way Your Brain Unintentionally Learns About The World - Study Finds

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 display of bellybuttons

Dana White names the only fighter Jon Jones ever ducked and it’s not Tom Aspinall - Bloody Elbow

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

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

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

Humans Have Smoked Meat For Almost 2 Million Years, Study Suggests - ScienceAlert

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