Won't argue with that. But I wonder if these kids were ever punished for anything. My guess would be "no". At least, not in any meaningful way...
I swiped a piece of bubble gum when i was 5.
I stole a pencil from the dime store when I was five. When my mother found out about it, I had to take it back to the store, confess and pay them a nickel from my allowance for it.
I still recall how mortified I was. And I've never stolen anything since. Not even a paper clip.
If children learn their values early, as you did, they've got a chance to be "a productive member of society". It's up to the parents.