Littlesthobo - Your last post, is in my opinion excellent. You've highlighted the conflict between reality and ambition.
I hope more people read it, and see how you have at each stage you've assessed your options and made a decision, without sacrificing the things you value. I hope in the future a way can be found to accommodate people like you (male and female) so you and others have a viable option to enter the industry with the issues you describe (I have no answers though..) as based on your mature way of approaching things and life experience you'd be a real asset.
Sorry for the thread drift...