Personally, I'm in favor of karate because I think it could help my child block and avoid physical attacks. Plus the confidence of being able to handle a fight without panicking.

Martial arts isn't always about escalating with more violence. Plus my son isn't violent and won't be punching anyone anytime soon, but being able to dodge/block is very cool.

I fully agree that teachers should handle this, but they aren't.

Unfortunately, we need to know how to defend ourselves from physical violence, no matter who is dealing it out.

Having been bullied in school myself, I can also attest that it only stopped when I started fighting back.

The flip side is teaching him that he can't fight back when he's physically attacked and teachers aren't helping isn't great

Yes, please. "Fixing" someone by teaching them to practice violence has never solved anyone's problems in life. It'll just turn them into a person who also thinks violence is an adequate means. Pretty much like that other girl who obiously also learned violence gets her something. And currently they seem to be smarter than that, you don't want to drag them down and turn them into some potential bully as well?!

I mean first of all it's the adults responsibility to fix this situation. They have to because it's unacceptable and it's their job. And furthermore, this should be about stopping(!) kids punching other kids, not add more punching to the mix. We really don't need more violence on this world and in future society.

(And lastly this isn't even what they teach in karate club. Karate isn't about fighting other people. It's about personal growth and about you yourself.)

Unless you're suggesting teaching kindergarten girls to hit boys will repair their self esteem or pride, im not sure why it's necessary to make gender a variable here.