LogFAQs > #885408429

Zeus posted...

No, for countless reasons. First, it usually doesn't work; a lot of bullies are abused at home and, given that they're used to taking beatings from grown-ass men, your candy-ass won't be able to do much to them. Second, it escalates the violence so that one participant might bring weapons in or do something more serious. Third, you might face ramifications for your "self-defense" especially if the other guy gets seriously hurt.

Granted, there are some really wimpy bullies who you can drive off with violence but, in general, violence is the stupidest solution to the problem and usually has worse outcomes than other answers.

One of the rare times where I can say I agree wholeheartedly with Zeus.

Keep in mind most bullies who are willing to take things physical aren't doing it for kicks; they're doing it because there's something seriously fucked up elsewhere in their life (almost assuredly at home). They physically bully because that's their outlet - that's the one spot in their life where they can feel secure and superior. If you try and take that from them by fighting back, you are taking away their hope spot and they will fight like a fucking cornered animal to keep it.

And yes, it's quite possible they're facing abuse at home and, take it from a martial artist, there is no greater teacher than experience (and no "greater" experience, in terms of how fast you'll pick things up, then having to fight for your life against a drunken man who's twice your size).

Not to mention, in the age of "zero tolerance", odds are pretty good the consequences will actually be worse for the bullied than for the bully if they fight back. You think the bully gives a shit about suspensions? Of course not, it's a three day vacation from school as far as he's concerned. But if you're the sort of person who has greater aspirations in your life than working a series of Joe jobs with a high school diploma, any permanent mark on your record - like the ones that come with fighting - is going to put a serious dent in your ability to get into post secondary school.

So yeah, if things are getting dangerously physical, the adults should immediately be brought in. If you have to fight to defend yourself from imminent danger, so be it, but your next stop should be a teacher to explain what happened and you should never, ever seek out the fight yourself if you have an opportunity to walk away.
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Kill 1 man: You are a murderer. Kill 10 men: You are a monster.
Kill 100 men: You are a hero. Kill 10,000 men, you are a conqueror!