Caa, Analyn C.

III-9 BS Psychology
Reflection Paper on I am Sam
1. Why is movie entitled I am Sam?
The movie is entitled I am Sam because it is based on the famous book
of Dr. Seuss, which was starts out the line I am Sam, and was the favorite book
to read by Sam. Thus, this movie was entitled I Am Sam because the story
tackles about the life of Sam Dawson, a man and a father who is mentally
challenged, and how he was able to stand up over the obstacles and struggles
he had faced despite of his disability. Also, it shows that disabilities are never a
hindrance in fulfilling ones goal in life (Sams) as long as there are: hard work just
like what Sam possessed when he search for a lawyer for him to be able to fight
for her daughter; love and support which Sam received from his friends and
those who believed in him.

2. What is the disability of the main character of the story? Why?
The disability of Sam, the main character of the story, is mental
retardation. According to Heward (2003), mental retardation refers to
substantial limitations in present functioning and is characterized by significantly
sub-average intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with related
limitations in two or more adaptive skills. Sam has a mild mental retardation, in
which it means that retarded are capable of learning numerous skills and living
independent or semi-independent adult live. In terms of Sams vocational status,
he was able to support his everyday life as well as the needs of her daughter
with the use of his job in Starbucks Coffee as a clerk. In terms of the mental age
range, he has an intellectual capacity of 7 years old. Sam can communicate
effectively though he stutters sometimes. He also takes good care of himself as
well as his daughter which is quite amazing. In terms of his social skill, he was a
meaningful yet a little immature relationship with his friends or support group
which is an amazing thought about person who is mentally challenge. In terms
of his adult life, he was able to be a father and becomes a parent to her
daughter Lucy Diamond.

3. Can Sam help in the development of Lucy? Why or why not?
For me, no because Lucy herself does not want to surpass her fathers
intellectual ability that is why she holds herself back to learn things especially in
reading. In the movie shows Lucy and Sam reading one of Lucy's
schoolbooks, Stellaluna and when Sam was reading it he was struggling in
reading the word different and that he is stumbling over that word in which
resulted to Lucys pretending that she does not know how to read that word
because she taught she will hurt his fathers feelings and she requested his father
to read Green Eggs and Ham instead. With that kind of situation Lucy's
schoolteachers call in Sam for a meeting, and express their concerns to him
regarding Lucy's development. As Sam is generally described as having the
mental age of a seven-year-old, the teachers are worried about what will
happen when Lucy turns seven or even eight.

4. What defines a parent? Is it the amount of intellectual maturity
displayed or the level of love given?
For me, intellectual ability is not the basis to be a parent especially a good one
because just like in the movie Love is all you need which is what Sam gives to
his daughter Lucy. Even if he has disability he was able to give all his best to be a
great daddy to his daughter and gives unconditional love. This movie shows that
even a father who is mentally challenged can be a responsible father. It
carefully re-examines the relational themes of love, patience, and devotion.
Thus, a parent is someone who wholeheartedly gives love and committed to
protect the child no matter what.