Since Sam has to come home to Maria each night, his path of least cognitive dissonance is to accept her version of his parents as the correct one. In taking on her behavior, he further lessens the dissonance because he reduces the notion that her behavior is wrong. He also avoids having to deal with ongoing feelings of guilt, sadness, and regret toward his family. This is his way of saying: “Of course Maria is treating you terribly. I am, too. That’s what you’ve created! Maria is right and you’re wrong!”
