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People don't become better or learn from arguments. They don't listen to the opposing side, ending up with both sides leaving unfulfilled, not growing in any aspect. In my opinion, arguments/debates are where you present your opinion in a mannered fashion, listening to the other side closely, and both sides having something to learn and reflect upon after the discussion is done.
The polarization of both sides is one of the causes. Both sides in a discussion are not willing to listen to the other, demonstrating this with language such as "they're insane/crazy/whatever derogatory adjective," which reinforces the thinking on both sides that the other side doesn't have a "valid" opinion and in no way they can take their opinion into account. This is most frequently seen in politics, where the two sides are not willing to do any compromise, not even for the general well being of their own population.
I believe another deciding factor is the unwillingness to go with a learning mentality into a debate. Thinking you can grow as a person from it, not debating for the sake of attacking the other side, benefits both parties involved, because if they have an open mind they both can do compromises, or see that they were wrong on a respective point. If the sides start with a mentality of "the other side is insane and their opinions aren't worth anything," it'll likely result in both sides screaming at each other, as we frequently see in various instances, and in turn doing nothing beneficial for themselves, not learning anything from the discussion, and in turn not becoming a better person.
Everyone has some opinions that they hold very dear to themselves, but we must be open to arguments attacking them, and respond adequately. If the opposite side's arguments are rational and prove to be better than yours, then it's probably a good time to re-evaluate your opinions, and analyze the circumstances in which you formed them. I advocate for the character integrity of an individual, but it's beneficial to explore our deepest beliefs, find arguments that support them, and present them to others. It might help any of us understand our own beliefs better, and correct the people around us, and even ourselves, trying to be a little less wrong.