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.

11.06.2025 03:32

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.

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

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.

Most people obey arbitrary rules even when it's not in their interest to do so, experiments show - Phys.org

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

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

the display of bellybuttons

Why aren't F1 cars popular on the street?

toilets being shown

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

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

In the TV show Supernatural, why is God portrayed as cruel?

Remember the Hays Code?

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

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

Wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia returning to U.S. to face criminal charges - Axios

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