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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.

09.06.2025 12:57

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

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

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

What do you think of Hegseth calling The Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, "a deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist who has made a profession of peddling hoaxes” after team Trump texted him their top-secret war plans on Yemen?

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

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

the display of bellybuttons

What is the gayest experience you have seen in prison?

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

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.

Derek Jeter Shares Brutal Reality for Yankees After Dodgers Loss - Sports Illustrated

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

Blue Diamond to close historic midtown Sacramento plant; 600 jobs affected - Sacramento Bee

Remember the Hays Code?