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: 03.07.2025 02:16

For 34 years, movie and TV studios censored themselves to appease the Puritanical whims of Will Hays.
toilets being shown
Remember the Hays Code?
Miley Cyrus Reveals What Caused Her Estrangement from Dad Billy Ray for the First Time - instyle.com
sexual perversion, including homosexuality (naturally), and sexual relationships between the white and black races.
couples in the same bed, even if married. (Laurel and Hardy came before the code)
nudity, or even suggestions of it (e.g. a silhouette)
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.
any profanity to the Christian religion, e.g. hell, damn, God (unless used in a holy sense), or ridicule of the clergy.
Can landlords or property managers legally offer discounts or incentives for renewing leases?
Some ridiculous highlights of the code in effect banned or discouraged:
Meanwhile, the rest of the world still sniggers at American prudishness.
lustful kissing is to be shown with care
Why the end of Google as we know it could be your biggest opportunity yet - ZDNet
disrespect of authority figures. Crooked judges are OK if they are also clearly portrayed as evil people