Abstract
Although it is generally assumed that the start of the child abuse prevention movement in our country is "recent", the first approach had already begun before the end of the Meiji Era. It is thought that the rise of "the concept of rights of the child" greatly contributed to the recognition that child abuse could not be permitted even when, under the "Ie" system, the relationship between parent and child was that of ruler and ruled. Under "the concept of rights of the child" the upbringing of the child was the parents' duty and the child's right, but the "Nation" was located over the parents for the protection of social order, protecting the innocent child and defining appropriate family education. In this paper it is pointed out that discussions of this topic resulted in the subject of child abuse gaining considerable attention, and the historical meaning and limits of the "concept of rights of the child" are discussed, as it found a place of importance within the concept of the patriarchal state.
