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 02:39
The ridiculous 2004 Superbowl ‘Nipplegate’ was a more recent reminder of how US attitudes have not really advanced much since the Hays code.
Remember the Hays Code?
any profanity to the Christian religion, e.g. hell, damn, God (unless used in a holy sense), or ridicule of the clergy.
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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)
Some ridiculous highlights of the code in effect banned or discouraged:
What would you do if you were lost at sea in the Florida Keys?
lustful kissing is to be shown with care
the display of bellybuttons
sexual perversion, including homosexuality (naturally), and sexual relationships between the white and black races.
Have you ever witnessed a remote beach show where hundreds of turtles crawling to the water?
Meanwhile, the rest of the world still sniggers at American prudishness.
For 34 years, movie and TV studios censored themselves to appease the Puritanical whims of Will Hays.
toilets being shown
couples in the same bed, even if married. (Laurel and Hardy came before the code)