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"Don’t hit them recklessly, don’t violate their bodies, and raise them with love and reason."
Many of the modern concepts that seemed self-evident in later times were considered new and progressive in this era, even sparking criticism and backlash.
— She faced opposition and condemnation once again.
Previously, it had been when she published papers as analchemist, and later when there were suspicions about an improper relationship with Lorenzo, with rumors that Florence would fall into a corrupt, decadent state.
It seemed that whenever women tried to make reforms or advancements, they were met with malicious speculation and attacks.
She had long since grown accustomed to it.
Hedy's advocacy against corporal punishment for children met with strong opposition from many old church followers. Some even submitted articles to newspapers attacking her views.
— Children were seen as embodiments of original sin, born inherently evil.
Without the use of the rod and the whip to give them a harsh lesson, how could they ever learn to be good?
If corporal punishment were abolished based on her explanation alone, wouldn’t the teachers who had learned the art of whipping become laughingstocks?
This controversy was indeed frustrating. It was a choice that aligned with human nature, yet it was still slandered and questioned by theology.
However, even hundreds of years later, even in modern times, many humanistic ideas would still be mocked and doubted.
Though Hedy anticipated such reactions, she hadn’t expected the zealousness of some conservatives to be so fierce.
It was as though they believed that without the ability to punish children or use whips and abuse, life would lose all its joy.
She sighed, deciding to seek help from other friends.
But to her surprise, the Medici-controlled newspaper directly published the angry attack.
This led to an unexpected twist in the situation.
Many people began writing letters, some even having literate servants pen their words for them, vocally condemning such vile thoughts, using their own voices to interpret these doctrines.
"God asks us to love our neighbors as ourselves—why can’t we show kindness to our own children?"
"There is so much moral teaching in the Bible—whipping is not the only way!"
"I support Miss Medici’s view, children can be loved and embraced!"
The newspaper kept publishing more and more similar statements, and even public opinion began to subtly shift.
Such passionate and fervent defense wasn’t just appearing in black and white on paper. It was reported that debates were happening in places ranging from the Academy of Plato to taverns, with some families and schools quietly putting away their rods.
People seemed to be shedding many shackles, both material and spiritual, as well as emotional ones.
When Hedy put down the newspaper, she had a faint sense of something.
The Middle Ages had truly come to an end.
She, along with everyone else, stood at the beginning of the Renaissance, all walking toward a new life together.
This world would eventually return everything that belonged to God to the people.
Life, time, desires, joy, and the meaning of living—
We were meant to live for our own happiness.
