First of all, bravo for standing up for yourself. I think when you grew up and given you being a guy and physically able to fight, that was probably very effec

First of all, bravo for standing up for yourself. I think when you grew up and given you being a guy and physically able to fight, that was probably very effective. Unfortunately schools have changed policies to so called zero tolerance policies, so that any violence can result in suspension, expulsion or event arrest and juvie. This is applied unfairly, it's worse for people who are racial minorities (studies show they are significantly more likely to be suspended, expelled or arrested, and suspensions last longer, this is why brown kids get arrested when they build clocks, and white kids get scholarships), and poor kids, who's parents are more limited in defending them because they have to work, can't afford legal representation, etc. And remember bullying doesn't have to be physical. Responding with violence may get you expelled and nothing happen to the bully. Also for people with disabilities or just physically weaker then the bully, violence may not be feasible as a response. And if girls are doing the bullying, or being bullied, violence may violate gender norms and not be the right choice.