public transportation to get to work. But I bet you take a car to work.
For me it's the same. It's possible for them to get by without a phone. But the inconvenience of them not having a phone is equal to the inconvenience of figuring out a 30 minute plus commute each way each day without a car. And I'm not even factoring in the convenience for the kid. I'm talking about the inconveniences for me if they don't have one.