Can you have a family?
Why yes, many of my friends have several!
Of course, not all in the same country, I am also one that has downgraded to a corporate gig, but I enjoyed every minute of my airline experience, mine was as a contract driver.
Good points about the contract world is more real flying experience, many times having no luxurious dispatch / infrastructure like a major US carrier, but I flew to destinations all over the world and had a much faster upgrade to the left seat.
I believe that having a job with the majors would be a great career nowadays, great new technology, the best training, and do to a lack of new pilots, a very stable future.
I chose the corporate gig since I could live in my own house again.
Good luck!