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Professor Shanta B. Astige holds the position of  Professor in the Department of Sociology in Karnataka, India, specifically associated with the Government First Grade College, Jewargi. and Secretory of Karnataka Sociological Association  (Gulbarga/Kalaburagi District). Her academic career is distinguished by a focused commitment to exploring and documenting the evolving social landscape for women in modern India. Her work is crucial because it moves beyond generalized statistics to provide detailed sociological insights into the lives of diverse groups of women, from urban professionals navigating dual roles to the elderly facing specific health and social challenges.

I. The Urban Professional Woman: Navigating the Dual Role

One of the central themes in Professor Astige’s research is the dramatic shift in the status and role of the urban, educated, middle-class woman since the liberalization policies of the early 1990s. She highlights that for this demographic, the priority has shifted from immediate marriage to securing a job or professional career. This change is not merely economic but represents a profound sociological transformation where women are increasingly willing to postpone traditional life milestones for professional identity and autonomy.

Her work often examines the concept of the “dual role” , where women manage both demanding professional careers and household responsibilities. Astige’s research suggests that while this development is a boon for women’s status, it also introduces significant sociological tension. She notes that the process of urbanization has particularly affected women’s status, allowing them to take up roles previously unthinkable, such as bus conductors, police constables, and even joining the armed forces. Yet, the societal structures supporting the balance of work and family often lag behind the aspirations of these professional women.

II. A Deep Dive: The Sociological Study of Women Lawyers

To illustrate the challenges faced by professional women, Astige has conducted focused studies, notably a sociological examination of women lawyers in the Gulbarga District. The legal profession is often viewed as a high-status field, yet her work meticulously assesses the sociological role of these women within the often male-dominated Bar Council.

Her findings suggest that while a woman lawyer possesses the same identity as her male counterpart—an advocate—her identity is often appreciated differently, or less, in the professional sphere. The study seeks to measure aspects of success and satisfaction at the Bar Council, recognizing that while the fight for equality is won legally, the sociological hurdles in terms of professional recognition, subtle discrimination, and balancing career with social expectations remain complex and controversial. This research is vital for understanding how professional fields evolve and how gender affects career progression and workplace acceptance in traditionally patriarchal setups.

III. Aging, Health, and Vulnerability: The Older Woman

A significant, yet perhaps less recognized, segment of Professor Astige’s scholarship addresses the intersection of aging and women’s health. She points out that aging brings specific, and often more serious, problems for women compared to men, especially for those who are widows, divorcees, or desertees.

Her research highlights that as women age, they are frequently subjected to social, economic, and medical negligence and abuse. The shift towards individualism in modern cities can lead to isolation and alienation for the elderly, turning them into lonely and segregated people. This has profound psychological effects, contributing to mental disorders and a loss of interest in life, which can, in turn, reduce their life span. Astige’s work acts as an essential call to attention, arguing that the health and well-being of older women must be seen as a major issue of social concern that requires specific policy interventions and greater family/community support. She stresses the need to examine the complex relationship between health, the biological cycles women experience (like childbearing), and their ultimate social status in old age.

IV. Contextual Significance

Professor Astige’s contributions are significant because they use a grounded, empirical approach to analyze social change in India. Her publications, often found in respected academic journals like Golden Research Thoughts and Indian Streams Research Journal, contribute to the academic discourse on gender inequality, urbanization, and social welfare. She moves beyond the simple recognition of women in the workforce to analyze the social, psychological, and economic complexities that underpin their daily lives, providing valuable data for social scientists and policymakers alike.

In essence, Professor Astige’s body of work stands as a testament to the enduring sociological changes in modern India, offering a critical lens on the challenges faced by women across their life cycle, from early career ambition to the vulnerability of old age.