This is a pretty broad subject. Children were seen as a gift from God and a sign of His blessing (Psalm 127.3-5). They were to be responsibly trained up by parents in the ways of society, morality, and godliness (Proverbs 17.6; Deuteronomy 6.1-9; Ephesians 6.1-4). Children were expected to recognize the authority of their parents (as agents of God, assuming the parents were acting in a godly way) (Isaiah 54.13)and to learn to walk in the ways of the Lord (Matthew 18.10; 3 John 1.4).

What does the Bible say about children? Specifically views on children and freedom/autonomy?

I'm not Christian, but I'm doing an essay on children and freedom, and how views on that have changed over time. I'm starting at around 1870 (in the UK). More people were Christian then, so the Bible may have had a greater influence on how people raised their children.

I'm interested to see what it says about children, but scripture isn't something I'm well-versed in and I wouldn't know where to look for relevant verses. Could you help? I'd rather not wade through pages of interpretation, as things can be interpreted in different ways.