The purpose of this article is to analyze the crucial role of values and beliefs present in the reform of public policies towards children in Chile. Contemporary theoretical debates on the rights of children in democratic societies are presented. The interpretative frameworks method is used to analyze the different positions of public policy decision makers seeking to contribute to the understanding of the limits and possibilities of the notion of children's rights. The research methodology was qualitative. Through Grounded Theory, 42 parliamentary discussions were analyzed through NVivo11. It is concluded that the tutelary approaches prevail, prioritizing conceptions of childhood and family that hinder policy reforms with a focus on rights in Chile.