Logo

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: 16.06.2025 12:44

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)

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

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 husband cheat on me with an ugly fat woman?

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

toilets being shown

Remember the Hays Code?

What kind of person makes you think "how come there are people like that"?

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

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

the display of bellybuttons

Is anal sex allowed in Islam? It's not written anywhere in the Quran whether it's forbidden or not.

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.

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

How did the DMK alliance manage to keep the BJP out of Tamil Nadu politics all these years? Is the picture now changing in Tamil Nadu after the entry of Annamalai?

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