I'm sure similar family situations have existed in real life, so picture the Bunkers/Stivics as a real life family - Archie always insulting Mike, and Mike giving it back to him as well (he called Archie a dope and a jerk on numerous occasions). Who do you think would have ended up belting the other first? I think Mike, after Archie called him a dumb Polak one too many times.

I'm sure similar family situations have existed in real life, so picture the Bunkers/Stivics as a real life family - Archie always insulting Mike, and Mike giving it back to him as well (he called Archie a dope and a jerk on numerous occasions). Who do you think would have ended up belting the other first? I think Mike, after Archie called him a dumb Polak one too many times.

Mike considered himself a modern-day peaceful person who does not resort to violence, but I guess that he often just pretended that aggression could not be in him and that he was always holding in his feelings . I guess considering this , he would likely have ended hitting Archie first.