Historical Transformations in Conservative Arguments on Child Protection in
Mexico: From the 19th to the 21st Century
from the 19th to the 21st century, emphasizing how these arguments have been adopted and
adapted by contemporary neoconservative and pro-life movements. Through an analysis of
archival documents, including period newspapers and testimonies, the study traces how
conservative policies and discourses have shaped the subjectivity of their adherents over
time.The emphasis is on the centrality of the disputes over secularized sexual education.
The paper highlights the fundamental role of the Catholic Church and later,
interreligious civil society, in constructing and perpetuating these arguments. From papal
encyclicals that have guided the Church's stance to the influence of these teachings on public
policy and social movements, it demonstrates how child protection has been a central axis in
the resistance against progressive policies.
Theoretically, the study is framed within the analysis of disputes over meaning,
exploring how these ideological conflicts have influenced the configuration of conservative
and neoconservative subjectivities. The research reveals that, although historical and social
contexts have changed, the instrumentalization of childhood as a symbol of purity and
vulnerability remains a powerful resource in conservative discourse.
This analysis not only provides a deep understanding of the history of conservative
arguments in Mexico but also offers a critical perspective on their resonance and relevance
in the contemporary global landscape.