Final answer:
Normative family roles perpetuate male dominance through a traditional division of labor assigning instrumental roles to men and expressive roles to women. This system supports a patriarchal society where men control decision-making and reinforces gender inequalities in children through socialization, despite efforts toward gender equality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject suggests that normative roles of the family are significant in maintaining male dominance within society. Gender roles taught by parents are crucial to the economic function of the family, resulting in a traditional division of labor that assigns the instrumental roles to men and expressive roles to women. This division not only perpetuates gender norms but can lead to an imbalance within the family structure when the traditional roles are altered. According to functionalists, gender roles evolved as a means to ensure the family operates efficiently, with each sex adopting roles suited to their biological capabilities, particularly during the pre-industrial era. Yet, this system underpins a patriarchal society where men assume control over both private and public spheres, establishing decision-making power and influence, which in turn reinforces their dominance.
However, even as families attempt to promote gender equality, societal norms and parental expectations often lead to a reinforcement of gender-specific tasks and behaviors. This ingrained pattern is evident not just in parental roles but also in the transmission of these roles to children, potentially leading to discrimination rooted in America's social patterns. Conflict theorists would argue that these roles create and maintain inequalities by privileging men's activities over women's, reflecting and reinforcing gendered power dynamics in the broader society.