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Biomedical Ethics -- Reflection of "I Am Sam"
The treatment of vulnerable population in situations of legal rights is an ever-growing dilemma. In the movie "I Am Sam," Sam is a mentally disabled father seen as unfit to care for his daughter. Because of social workers observations, the courts removed the daughter from his care. Individuals with mental disabilities, like Sam, suffer daily with basic right infringements. People are quick to pass judgment on individuals like Sam, even to the point of placing stress on their basic liberties of justice and the pursuit of happiness. The question stands however, what are the ethical principles involved in the treatment of vulnerable individuals and what potential legal challenges could arise? Using Benedictine values as the underlining influence, a discussion the treatment of vulnerable populations and legal challenges will ensue.
Applying ethical principles to the basic needs of the disabled is a common curtsey as given to any human. The question of if Sam was a suitable parent arose, and family courts only saw...
Looking deeper into the situation, the attorney learned about her client through his insightfulness and his willingness to show compassion. Sam's compassion is the compassion he should have received by the system; the system being Child Services and the Court Systems. Time to understand the disabled yields time gained to make an intelligent recommendation for the next course of action.
Legally, not providing an individual with the same rights as everyone else is discriminatory as each case must provide evidence, in favor or against, yet in a way that does not place harm on the disabled individuals. Yet, the state takes on paternalism which "consists in acting in a way that is believed to protect or advance the interest of a person although acting in this way goes against the person own immediate desires or limits the person's freedom of choice" (Munson, 1979, pg 169). Therefore, for an attorney to discredit and individual because of their disability falls in line with paternalism. Whether paternalism…
Reference
Munson, R. (1979). Intervention and reflection: Basic issues in medical ethics. The Wadsworth series in social philosophy. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth Pub. Co.
Nelson, J. (Director). (2002). "I Am Sam" [Film]. Los Angeles: New Line Cinemas, Warner Brothers.
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