C-Flat, I grew up in much the same sort of place -and time, I suspect, but the part you didn't mention was that when you went home after the policeman or teacher had clipped your ear, you wouldn't tell Mum, because she'd clip the other one, on the principle that you MUST have done something wrong. The abiding thought seemed to be, 'adults right = kids wrong.'
Children learned the limits because adults seemed united against bad behavour. Films and other media made heroes of people who fought crime.

This worked fine for most of us, but for the unfortunate few who ran foul of a Pedephile(sp?), the problem was huge. And running kids to school in the car may keep them safer, but also teaches them they are important, a fact which totally escaped my notice in my youth.
I haven't any answers, (who has?) but life might be simpler if perverts were permanently removed from society and there were no sick films and computer games.
I'm sure some civil libertarians will have a go at me about that statement, but I've been around for a while now, and that is how I feel.   Chris.