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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.

08.06.2025 13:29

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.

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

toilets being shown

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

Holocaust survivor who was burned in Boulder: 'We are better than this' - NBC News

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

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

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

Does turmeric help fight cancer? If so, how?

Remember the Hays Code?

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

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

Should parents be allowed to bring children into R-rated movies? What are the potential consequences of doing so?

the display of bellybuttons

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

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

Summer here, the one who debunks atheism. Isn’t it funny how atheists always say they prefer a “no-nonsense, evidence-based approach” to understanding the world, but when I bring up logical arguments for theism, they suddenly clam up?

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