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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.

Last Updated: 19.06.2025 14:51

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.

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

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

Remember the Hays Code?

Do women really cheat more than men?

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

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

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

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

the display of bellybuttons

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

Do you think the beginning of movies is often better than the rest of the film? Is this a common opinion or do others share this view?

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

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

toilets being shown

Why are Democrats opposed to restrictions on contraception such as requiring people to be over 18 to buy contraception, banning mail order contraception, and requiring a prescription from a doctor?

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