It's all about time, time, time. I'm not suggesting there aren't extremes at both ends of the intelligence spectrum. But for the bulk of us in the middle of the curve, it all comes down to time. The problem is society pulls for our time on one end and family pulls for our time on the other. Unless your independently wealthy you can't be uber effective at both. I've actually known a number of men who have tried to advance there careers or get advanced degrees after they were married and had children only to end up getting divorced. I'm not advocating one path as superior to the other but having a family myself I know something has to give. Over time I've learned to value my accomplishments as a husband and father over those of intellect and career.