Both Eric and Lucy got married at a very young age. Her grandmother is not certain, but thinks they were either 16 or 17 years old. With limited education and no skills, their options in the job market were also very limited. Eric’s source of income was carrying goods on his shoulders in the market for pay, while Lucy did casual jobs, mostly washing clothes for people.
When Harleen was a few months old, Eric developed a mental illness that slowed him down and made him unable to consistently continue working at the food market. It became very difficult for Lucy to take care of her husband and children while still being able to do her casual work. Fortunately, her mother, Harleen’s grandmother, lived in the same neighborhood and took on the responsibility of caring for the children and her husband while Lucy went to work. The burden of caring for all four children and her husband was huge for both Lucy and Jane, Harleen’s grandmother.
