Final answer:
Conflict theorists see the hidden curriculum as a means to promote social inequalities by reinforcing the societal status quo and perpetuating disparities in social classes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conflict theorists believe that the purpose of the hidden curriculum is to promote social inequalities. They argue that the educational system reinforces and perpetuates the disparities stemming from differences in class, gender, race, and ethnicity. The idea is that schools solidify the existing social structure by training working-class students to accept their lower status within society. This is done through practices like sorting and tracking, where children are placed into different educational paths based on their abilities which often correlates with their socioeconomic status. This can create self-fulfilling prophecies and limit opportunities for social mobility, thereby keeping those in power, in power.