The things you did are normal things in most countries, for CLs and even some non CLs who like kids. Those CLs and non CLs who are friendly towards kids because they don't have to be so paranoid, everyone around them doesn't assume they are going to do anything sexual with those kids. I don't know enough to make some grand theory, but there is something about English speaking countries especially that are much worse for us than most of the rest of the world. I'm sure you could find some exceptions, but generally this is true from what I know.