Resumen: Child policies are a relevant area of study in public policy analysis, where the values, ideolo-gies and situational contexts that establish the symbolic orientation of such policies and the state play a central role. Based on the analysis of interpretive frameworks, this article aims to investigate the tensions that hindered the realization of the emblematic reform of the policy for children and adolescents in Chile (2014–2018) by identifying the interpretive frameworks that opposed or drove these changes. Following a grounded theory methodological approach, 29 semi-structured interviews of relevant actors and 42 parliamentary discussions are analyzed. The results reveal two conflicting interpretive frameworks: a protectionist master framework with a tutelary approach and a secondary framework with a rights-based approach, in which the reforms sought to replace the former approach. Through an alignment analysis of interpretive frameworks, it is established that a paradigm shift has not been achieved. However, a change in policies has occurred through amplifica-tion and extension processes of the master interpretive framework. It is concluded that the difficulties of reforming child policies are due to the strong predominance of paradigms and conceptions that mainly disagree with the state’s role as a guarantor of rights and the resistance to consider children and adolescents as subjects of rights.