Difficult conversations produce complex reactions and questions. They put people in positions that test their character and fortitude. See, for example, the recent events surrounding Judge Brett Kavanaugh and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford.

But at some point during this latest saga in the unveiling of America’s sexual assault problem — it’s difficult to say exactly when — things stopped being about Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh.

Yes, Dr. Ford was unable to recall important specifics about her alleged assault at the hands of Judge Kavanaugh.

Yes, Judge Kavanaugh’s conduct during the hearing — his conspiracy theorizing, his sneering at female senators — was supremely unbecoming for a SCOTUS nominee.

These failings, while revealing, aren’t so surprising when you think about it. People are imperfect. Our memories fail us; our composure cracks under pressure.

We are, after all, only human.

And we’ve been here before — many times, in fact. Comedians Lewis C.K and Aziz Ansari; Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein; news media titans Charlie Rose and Matt Lauer.

Kavanaugh’s confirmation degenerated into a political and cultural mess of epic proportions not because of the nominee or his accusers, but because of those who are supposed to be the stewards of our society — the Democrats who leaked Ford’s letter and then parlayed it into a public trial; the Republicans who declined to do their jobs in favor of delivering histrionic floor speeches.

But if that’s where this conversation ends, we will have failed our children.

Pennsylvanians in particular, still rattled mightily by a grand jury report on sexual abuse that continues to shake the Catholic Church to its core, should be better-equipped than most to see the bigger picture.

Molestation and sexual assault are pervasive problems in today’s America — and it does not matter if you are a young man or a young woman, or if you live in Hollywood or Western Pennsylvania.

Predators of every stripe are empowered by our refusal to hit the reset button on sexual politics in America. We allow a culture of silent acceptance, shame and pain to endure through inaction — not in some Senate chamber, but in how we raise our sons and daughters and what we teach them about their own worth and the worth of others.

The circus that revolved around Kavanaugh and Ford is proof that we aren’t at a unique moment; simply the most recent example of our repeated failures.

Still, do not be surprised when we say that this should hearten even the most cynical observer — because it means we are trying.

We must continue to strive to do better, for our children’s’ sake.