The unspoken background, one hopes, is that the husband is not a narcissistic nincompoop who maximizes his own “needs” while minimizing the children’s. The same is true if the article were a husband saying he’ll “always put his wife before his kids.”
Adults are supposed to have the wisdom to discern genuine “needs,” prioritize legitimate “wants,” and sacrifice self-centered “whims.” If they won’t make a serious effort at this process of maturity, then they’re just bigger, messier, and more expensive children.
You are so right. I appreciate the way you put this, it’s exactly right.