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 03:48
For 34 years, movie and TV studios censored themselves to appease the Puritanical whims of Will Hays.
Remember the Hays Code?
nudity, or even suggestions of it (e.g. a silhouette)
Why don't I get sleep at nights?
disrespect of authority figures. Crooked judges are OK if they are also clearly portrayed as evil people
toilets being shown
any profanity to the Christian religion, e.g. hell, damn, God (unless used in a holy sense), or ridicule of the clergy.
Do Republicans want to ban books and decide what your kids can and can’t read?
couples in the same bed, even if married. (Laurel and Hardy came before the code)
lustful kissing is to be shown with care
Some ridiculous highlights of the code in effect banned or discouraged:
Why do wives cheat on their loyal husbands?
the display of bellybuttons
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.
Why would my nipples hurt when I touch them?
sexual perversion, including homosexuality (naturally), and sexual relationships between the white and black races.