I'm not defending that way of thinking, it just seems to be what often happens.

As an example, it took a lot of work to limit secondhand smoking in my country. I remember in the 90's when cars and houses were sometimes thick with smoke, even with kids present, and even though people already knew the risks of secondhand smoking. People thought it was bullshit that they weren't allowed to smoke inside bars and restaurants, on the train or while waiting for public transport. Everyone knew that it was wrong to subject other people to secondhand smoke but to a lot of people it was just the way of life, and therefore right.

I can't even remember the last time I saw someone smoke in public, and I think most people would consider it unacceptable to smoke around children, but it has taken decades to get to this point.