A priority choice

In reading about feministic careerism vs. traditional homemaking (which I very frequently do), I have found that very often the difference is one of priorities. In the first, personal fulfillment and economic prosperity are highly valued, and in the second, family and children are highly valued. In the first, the important thing is to have stuff and to keep up appearances:

"...even college-educated men in their 20s and 30s will have a tough time pulling in the cash to pay for the house, two cars and nursery school. The simply truth is that most couples need two incomes just to maintain a middle-class life." (Kay Hymowitz, author of the book Manning Up)

The second wonders why maintaining all the trappings of a middle-class life is so important. If they have to live in a smaller house and only own one car, it would be worth it if the wife could be home making that house a place of love and beauty and joy, raising up their children to love and honor God. And if she was at home doing that, the "nursery school" expense would be gone as well.

To me, the first option seems much more self-centered and emotionally sterile. I would rather sacrifice a high-paying career than give up deep and meaningful relationships with my family! Couldn't the love and gratitude of a husband and children be rewarding too, just like the satisfaction of intellectual appetite and the respect of one's colleagues? It seems to me that it could, and that by cultivating humility rather than pride it could also be much better for the state of one's soul.