In the early 17th century, children suffered corporal punishment from their parents and educational institutions and, furthermore, under the rules governing religious institutions, children were abandoned, sexually abused and sometimes killed. Hugh Cunningham, professor of social history, in his book Children and Childhood: In Western SocietySince 1500, analyzes the historical context of the family and childrearing and highlights the influences that helped shape the rights of children. He asserts that “the story of childhood was a story of progress, that the experience of being a child and the understanding of the nature of childhood improved over time” (Cunningham 40). So, after hundreds of years of unfair and unjust treatment, children have become people with rights – children's rights. In addition to this, the importance of equality between race, gender and the well-being of children has resulted in a myriad of laws implemented to improve the lives and, in particular, the treatment of children. By examining the role of child rearing, child labor, education, state interests and the women's movement, it is evident that these elements constitute turning points that have shaped the history of rights of the child in society. rights of children in society. Cunningham highlights the historical context of child rearing and argues that in the early 17th century the importance of religion, particularly Catholicism, increasingly emphasized the duties of parents to their children. children. Fathers were masters of their homes and were given permission by the Church to have power over the lives and deaths of their... middle of paper ...... theoretically, DeMause claims that children suffered enormous cruelty and violence. neglect and also, the children were likely to have been killed, abandoned, beaten, terrorized and sexually abused by their guardians (DeMause par.2). Clearly, children's historical experiences with religion, work, education, gender, and politics constitute turning points that affect the way children experience life. Furthermore, there appears to be a growing interdependence between parents, children, and social constructs outside the family unit, which significantly affect children's socialization and lives. In order to promote and foster a world free from injustices, society must continue to be concerned about cruelty and discrimination against children. Every child has the right to live a life of dignity and dignity and society must therefore strive to uphold children's rights..