Everyone here is correct that no one has the right to force you to do
anything. That said, I know that it is hard not to let that happen in certain
relationships. While I've started using JMP recently, I still have a cell
phone that I leave at home but use to communicate with my family. I keep
putting off telling them because my views on software freedom are relatively
recent and I'm uncomfortable with people I've known for a long time realizing
I've changed.
Your situation is a little different, in that you have been getting along
fine without a phone and people are used to you not having one. Using one
would be a step backward. I would suggest getting rid of it or not using it,
and explaining to your family why you are uncomfortable using it. Hopefully
they will come to accept your decision, even if they don't understand it
right now.
That said, you know your family and I don't. If you really feel that your
relationship with them would seriously suffer from not taking the phone out
of the box, perhaps you could try doing what I do with friends who still try
to call or text my cell phone. They know that I can only check my JMP
messages when I am connected to WiFi, so they'll sometimes try to contact me
through my phone hoping I'll respond faster. I intentionally only check my
phone once a day, and when I respond I will do so through JMP.
It might also help to make sure that you don't allow yourself to be held
responsible for the "inconvenience" caused by not having a cell phone. If
someone plans to meet you somewhere, you show up on time, and they can't
contact you to change plans because you aren't carrying a cell phone, you are
not the one who is being irresponsible. If they express worry over the fact
that you can't call 911 with JMP, point out that the FCC recommends using a
landline or payphone to call 911 because cell phones do not precisely provide
your location to the dispatcher, making it difficult for emergency services
to respond in time. It's true that landlines and payphones are becoming less
common now, but cellphones are the cause, not the solution. Allowing cell
phones to become so ubiquitous that they are they only way to get emergency
assistance is the greater danger.
That's only if you really feel that you must take the phone out of the box. I
would suggest that you first refuse to touch the thing all, but family is
complicated, I can't know your situation, and I won't tell you what to do.
Just remember that no matter how much you are pressured, your principles and
desire to be free are not the problem. Don't let anyone make you feel like
you are the one being stubborn or difficult.
