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: 02.07.2025 08:42
For 34 years, movie and TV studios censored themselves to appease the Puritanical whims of Will Hays.
disrespect of authority figures. Crooked judges are OK if they are also clearly portrayed as evil people
any profanity to the Christian religion, e.g. hell, damn, God (unless used in a holy sense), or ridicule of the clergy.
Little Benjamina, the oldest evidence of social empathy in humans - Earth.com
lustful kissing is to be shown with care
couples in the same bed, even if married. (Laurel and Hardy came before the code)
The ridiculous 2004 Superbowl ‘Nipplegate’ was a more recent reminder of how US attitudes have not really advanced much since the Hays code.
Texas woman dies from brain-eating amoeba after clearing sinuses with tap water - Dallas News
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.
Some ridiculous highlights of the code in effect banned or discouraged:
If a female has XX chromosomes and a male has XY chromosomes, what chromosomes do transgenders have?
toilets being shown
Remember the Hays Code?
the display of bellybuttons
Our planet’s oxygen levels will drop, and there’s no way to stop it - Boy Genius Report
nudity, or even suggestions of it (e.g. a silhouette)