Don

On people changing their mind and how hard it can be, I think there are a few relevant points.

1. We would be very ineffective if we were always bouncing among paradigms, so we have an inherent filter that keeps out anomalies, so that we can maintain our current beliefs.  In other words, we can deceive ourselves and are quiet good at it.  It takes work to investigate possible anomalies and is uncomfortable.

2. In the case of the gender debate, if the non-egals are wrong, they would need to repent.  Not wanting to repent is a big motivator and one that sometimes cannot even be acknowledged and is therefore the more powerful.

3. Then there is the peer question; if one changes one may be rejected by friends, or at least people you now see as friends.  All of us relate better with people that agree with us.

4. Finally, there is the inconsistency question.  Once someone has publicly stated a position, it becomes harder to change.  Psychologists have done experiments and shown we will justify beliefs even when tricked into thinking we believe something that we really do not believe, as we have a huge need to appear consistent, even if we are not actually consistent.