Summary

This article demonstrates that there was an early influence of children rights ideasin Chile between 1900 and 1930. These ideas were expressed through declarations that circulated in Chilean society and were variable. They ranged from those that demanded physical protection for children to those that pushed for a recognition of highest levels of autonomy of them. Even though these declarations did not have a solid supporting doctrine, they generated an impact in intellectual circles at the beginning of the twentieth century. The different opinions elaborated about children rights –opposing or supporting them– gave room to the establishment of public policies about the issue, which are presented in this work.