Since 1911 the juvenile justice system has been characterized by three periods of evolution. The first period, extending from 1911 until the 1962 reform, constituted a paternalist-repressive logic based on a degeneration-dangerousness model for minors. The second period was oriented by a protection logic that followed the welfare model. Alterations to this model were introduced in 1978. The third period has been characterized by recent modifications to the system--the protection law for the young in danger and the educative law for juvenile delinquents under tutelage. It is still premature to evaluate the impact of the recent evolution. The possible impact on the wider social logic of social problem management is discussed. 5 footnotes, 4 references