Should we down our work tools, no matter where in the world we are, and hurry home for the birth of a child? Certainly.
Should we do the same in the event of a serious family illness, or sudden death? Of course.
How about if things aren't going so well with a wife, husband or live-in partner?
Maybe not, if it's just a tiff, or even a serious disagreement, otherwise the wheels of industry might grind to a halt.
But what if it's a disagreement that seriously threatens to break up a long-term relationship?
Many of us would say yes - hop on the first plane home and try to sort it out.
You and I might be able to do that.
But what if you're the president of the United States?
Probably not.
How about vice-captain of the Australian cricket team?
Yes, these thoughts are inspired by the well publicised travails of Michael Clarke and Lara Bingle.
Why we should be so preoccupied by the private lives of public people is something I do understand, but only up to a point.
I'm no less voyeuristic than the next man, but, honestly, I have better and more pressing things to think about.
Like whether the Socceroos are likely to reach round two at the World Cup.
I do wonder, though, whether we apply double standards in considering the problems of the rich and famous.
Most of us might think it's a bit rich to pull out of an Australian cricket tour of New Zealand and fly home because your live-in fiancee is upset about nude shower photos allegedly circulated by a previous boyfriend.
But Clarke obviously thought the situation was serious enough to warrant a trans-Tasman dash.
And that's all that matters, really.
He was right, too, as it turned out; the whole thing has been called off.
What I didn't understand was why Clarke made himself available for - and was duly named in - the team starting the Test series against NZ in Wellington today, when it was clear he was not certain to be there.
That, I think, was foolish, and it was doubly foolish of Cricket Australia to select him in those circumstances, even though he has turned up.
Clarke's romantic bingle, incidentally, coincided with a European study suggesting that in the perfect marriage the wife should be five years younger than her husband, as was roughly the case for Clarke (six years).
The woman should also be more intelligent (oh well, one out of two ain't bad).
How much more intelligent? At least 27 per cent, according to a Geneva School of Business researcher.
If my own union is a tad short of perfect, that could explain why, because I reckon my wife is only about 20 per cent brighter than me.
Okay, maybe 120 per cent during Socceroo matches.
Anyway, should Michael Clarke have any less right than me to take "personal leave"?
Morally, probably not, but practically it's harder for performers.
They traditionally have to park their feelings in an emotional layby and carry "on with the show".
One thing is for sure - this would never have happened a generation ago.
Old-timers who wore the baggy green wouldn't have quit a tour for a funeral - not even their own.
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