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.
12.06.2025 09:59
nudity, or even suggestions of it (e.g. a silhouette)
For 34 years, movie and TV studios censored themselves to appease the Puritanical whims of Will Hays.
sexual perversion, including homosexuality (naturally), and sexual relationships between the white and black races.
Man charged in shooting outside Wayzata High School graduation - kare11.com
Meanwhile, the rest of the world still sniggers at American prudishness.
Some ridiculous highlights of the code in effect banned or discouraged:
toilets being shown
NASA Is Planning to Build a Massive Telescope on the Moon’s Dark Side - The Daily Galaxy
couples in the same bed, even if married. (Laurel and Hardy came before the code)
Remember the Hays Code?
the display of bellybuttons
Ground beef sold at Whole Foods might be contaminated with E. coli, USDA warns - CNN
lustful kissing is to be shown with care
disrespect of authority figures. Crooked judges are OK if they are also clearly portrayed as evil people
The ridiculous 2004 Superbowl ‘Nipplegate’ was a more recent reminder of how US attitudes have not really advanced much since the Hays code.
The Forgotten History (and Slippery Science) of Canola Oil - Eater
any profanity to the Christian religion, e.g. hell, damn, God (unless used in a holy sense), or ridicule of the clergy.