The perspective on a “child” and “childhood” has changed considerably through the historical process. The child who was considered as a property of father in Ancient Greece, in this day and age, is accepted as a right holder individual. One of the rights that a child owns is the right of protection. The right of protection, having started to be formed through the effect of modernization in 19th cc, has come to a state that it is not limited to the protection just within the family, but also it covers institutional and judicial protection. (Akyüz, 2010, Archard and Macleod, 2002; Karadeniz Çelebican, 1989; Lansdown, 1994).

As for the Turkey, it is hard to say there is an effective and potent system for the protection of child. The reasons for this can be discussed within two main scopes: First is lack of legislation. In Turkey, the legislation aiming at the protection of child is inadequate. Second is intitutional deficiency. In Turkey, the institutional structure is insubstantial. Existing institutions have no adequate means and conditions. This paper will deal with and argue the reasons that are collected under two headings and that hinder an effective and potent protection system for child protection, through a historical and social perspective.

Accordingly, in the first place what is understood from the terms of “child in need of protection” and “child protection” will be explained in historical and social regard in Turkey and in comparison to the understanding of these in Western society. It makes this comparison required for that; while “Philantopist” associations and activities can be encountered in Western societies, the convention for child protection in Ottoman is too weak (Karatay, 2007). In the second place, Turkish Civil Code with related regulations for child protection in family, Turkish Penal Code with related special provisions for child protection, Child Protection Act, Circular on Institution and Its Responsibilities of General Directorate of Child Services, founded in 2011 within Law on Social Services and Ministry of Family and Social Policies, will be handled and and the child protection policies and applications that formed in the frame of those metioned above will be assessed.  In brief, in this part, to what extend these relevant legislations protect the child will be studied. Lastly, the working of institutions responsible for child protection and the approaches to child protection will be dealt.

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