TV is not real.  Nothing about it is real.  In fact, if it's on TV . . . it's fake.

That being said, there are certain programs, and observations of those programs, that can lead to some interesting data to consider.  Usually these are the "reality TV" type of programs and documentaries.

For instance, the various seasons of the program Alone provides the discriminating viewer with some interesting take-aways.

To give you some examples, here are my take-aways from the first three seasons.

1. The biggest "macho" blowhards are the biggest pussies and usually go first.

Within the first day or two about 20% of the participants are gone.  In season three, the first one "tapped out" on day three, and by day eight 20% were gone - one by an injury.

2. Within about six days, over half (60%) are gone.

In season three, it took about 30 days to reach this point.

3. About ten or eleven days in, physical drain sets in and psychological issues begin to become evident.

4. By about day 35, 30% are out.

5. About days thirty-five to forty, up to as far as day fifty-six, psychological hurdles take their toll.

During this period, about 50% or more are out.  Season three reached the 50% point by day fifty-one.

6. 70% are out between forty and fifty-seven days.

7. 80% are out between forty-three and fifty-nine days.

8. 90% are out between fifty-five and sixty-four days.

The amount of time increased an average of about twenty days more than the max during season three.  But . . . season three's numbers were all higher because the competitors were all better suited and knowledgeable than the prior two seasons.

9. Everyone rationalized their failure.  Simply being weak was never an option.

10. Irrational fears were stronger than reality when they were alone.

11. There was an unrealistic drive early on to do unnecessary "improvements" to their camps, make musical instruments, do art, etc.

12. No one said; "Thank you, God." . . . they all thanked the fish, tree, etc.

13. One word expressed the most important thing . . . Calories.

14. Sentiment is very strong and can bring down anyone . . . even the strongest.

All this may seem like nothing but obvious data, but think about it carefully.  This can be applied to you and your "average family" in a crisis situation.  The same percentages of people will be driven to give up at about the same times, for about the same reasons.  The same psychological stresses and hurdles will strike at about the same intervals.  The same irrational drives will crop up.

Study and be prepared to counter these things.  Build a strong, coherent group that can support one another when these issues come into play.  Be aware of what can become a problem and when to be on guard against it.