Paradoxically to popular belief, traditional gender roles are not taught but rather something that is learned. From a young age, children are imbued with the mindset that they must act a certain way. Similarly, in Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple, the protagonist Celie believes that she is obliged to do what men tell her to do. She begins writing letters to God because she has no one else to share her secrets with. Soon, she meets a woman named Shug, who makes her realize that there is more to life than she really thinks. Alice Walker's novel, The Color Purple, demonstrates the progression of gender roles by emphasizing the importance of being able to express one's thoughts and discover oneself. Gender roles are defined as a set of behaviors and/or attitudes expected of a man and a woman. These behaviors are instilled in human beings from a very young age by parents and society. Parents are children's first teachers and their greatest idol. “The first and one of the strongest influences on a person's perceived gender role are their parents” (“Gender” 1). Parents not only teach children rudimentary skills such as speaking and walking, but also attitudes and behaviors. Parents can serve as positive or negative role models. Studies suggest that girls raised in violent households will grow up to be abused by their partners. It's because they never learned to defend themselves. Male children who grow up in abusive homes will grow up to imitate their fathers and also abuse their spouses. “Sons of abusive husbands often grow up abusing their own wives, and daughters of abused wives can become victims of domestic violence (“Gender” 2). This cycle continues until middle of paper... eats a barrier that prevents everyone from doing what they want. Therefore, it is significant that one learns to love oneself. In conclusion, parents, society and culture influence the individual to act in a certain way. But if you live your whole life learning to live, you will never triumph. A person's role in their gender is something they must learn for themselves, by having self-esteem, mutual understanding in their relationship and loving themselves. In Alice Walker's novel, The Color Purple, many characters demonstrate changing gender roles and by eliminating it, they learn to live a happy life. Works Cited “Gender Roles.” Health World. Gale, 2007. Student Resources in Context. Internet. February 28, 2014. “Self-esteem”. Health World. Gale, 2007. Student Resources in Context. Internet. February 28, 2014. Walker, Alice. The color purple. Orlando: A Harvest Book, 1982.