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.
11.06.2025 05:44
For 34 years, movie and TV studios censored themselves to appease the Puritanical whims of Will Hays.
any profanity to the Christian religion, e.g. hell, damn, God (unless used in a holy sense), or ridicule of the clergy.
the display of bellybuttons
Why do men love boobs (irrespective of big or small)?
Some ridiculous highlights of the code in effect banned or discouraged:
disrespect of authority figures. Crooked judges are OK if they are also clearly portrayed as evil people
couples in the same bed, even if married. (Laurel and Hardy came before the code)
What's the point of gender reassignment surgery which doesn't change a person's chromosomes?
The ridiculous 2004 Superbowl ‘Nipplegate’ was a more recent reminder of how US attitudes have not really advanced much since the Hays code.
Meanwhile, the rest of the world still sniggers at American prudishness.
nudity, or even suggestions of it (e.g. a silhouette)
What are your funniest "lost in translation" moments if you grew up speaking more than one language?
lustful kissing is to be shown with care
toilets being shown
sexual perversion, including homosexuality (naturally), and sexual relationships between the white and black races.
Remember the Hays Code?