I plan to have both my sons in karate early as hell for this exact reason. I'm such a crazy mama bear, the thought of something happening or SOMEONE doing something to my babies without me to chime in gets under my skin and gives me anxiety. lmfao

Both of my kids hit back, they are 8 and 5. Telling the teacher isn't as effective as we like to think and although I try to encourage better ways to problem solve for them they both know if someone feels like it's ok to put their hands on them then they can hit that kid back. They will never hit, kick, bite, or throw things at someone first but if it's done to them they act differently. With school aged kids especially they will keep hitting even if you tell a teacher and will only stop if you hit them back.

my son hits back & so will my daughter . telling an adult or teacher most times doesn't do anything . my son would NEVER hit someone or be mean to anyone but if a kid his age or older hits him he will hit back & not in a way to hurt them but to show them they shouldn't hit someone if they dont want hit back . he won't hit girls either even if they're beating on him (my niece is horrible about hitting)

I'm homeschooling and this is a huge reason why. I realize that's a huge privilege to be able to homeschool and opt out of public education, but I can't in good conscious tell my child to just haul off and hit people (although they learn self defense). But I also can't in good conscious tell them NOT to when there are little shits whose parents didn't teach them NO means NO, and bodily autonomy. I'm not sure if there is any one simple solution, bevause the problem itself is systematic and the majority really does stem from poor parenting + peer pressure. The combination is pathetically toxic.

I worked at an elementary school and agree with telling an adult or teacher doesn't always work.

Since having kids of my own now I man to give my kids the 3 strike rule. They hit you once tell the yard supervisor. They hit you again tell the teacher. They continue to bother you tell the principle. But after that whoop their ass !

Some kids dont learn to stop bothering people until they get beat up.

& trust and believe I'll be teaching my kids the lesson of defense before they begin school. So they will know hoe to defend them self in case they are attacked.

Also as parents its our duty to tech our kids how to interact and socialize with others. Most times kids are bullies because thats what they are taught or a way to shield them self of the hurt they feel . whether it be self esteem , trouble at home , or them not feeling important.