“Real men dont hit women.”
One of the jobs I had while in collage was as a bouncer in a disco (I hate discos) and the women were the worst, most violent people I had to deal with. I’ve been kicked, bitten, smacked and had glasses (whiskey) thrown at me.
I must not be a ‘real man’ because I’ve hit several women and held them for the police.
My Dad taught meover 50 years ago that “A gentlemen NEVER strikes a lady.”
However, if a female person hits you without extreme provocation, she ain’t no lady and all bets are off.
Still makes sense to me.
Also, of course, no gentleman would ever offer extreme provocation to a lady.
I've had a few that have behaved that way with me, for the short (relatively) part of my life I was obliged to deal with such...plus a few with knives, empty bottles; once even a pistol, though that was pointed (not aimed) at a third party, not me.
An armed, attacking perp gets what they get, and tough.
"Thugs is genderless!"