# data[].attributes.body
The first person in my family to come to America was John Funk. John is my great great great grandfather. John came to America in 1902 from Germany seeking better opportunities. When John got to America he came to Union Grove, WI and helped lay bricks for St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

# data[].attributes.body
Created during the Great Depression, this legislation established a national social insurance system for retirees, individuals with disabilities, and those without employment. Impact on life situations: A person born in 2008 is entering adulthood knowing that a social safety net is in place. Even though the program is facing ongoing issues regarding its long-term viability, it gives future retirees a feeling of security and stability. For the family of someone born in 2008, Social Security acted as a safeguard against poverty throughout their childhood.

Impact on opportunities: The reliability provided by the Social Security system enables long-term financial planning that earlier generations couldn't achieve. This can affect educational and career decisions, as people might feel more confident in taking calculated financial risks for potentially higher rewards.

# data[].attributes.body
The law made it illegal to discriminate against people based on their race, color, religion, gender, or where they come from. It changed both the legal and social landscape by banning discrimination in public areas, schools, and workplaces.

Impact on life situations: Even though people of color still deal with systemic issues, the Civil Rights Act played a big role in breaking down legal segregation and opened up chances in education, jobs, and housing that they were often denied before. For someone born in 2008, this act laid the groundwork for chasing opportunities in a society that is legally, although not always practically, fairer.

Impact on opportunities: The act directly made it possible for minority citizens to attend desegregated schools and explore a broader range of career options. It also set the stage for future equality movements, broadening the idea of civil rights to include women, individuals with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Rise of the Internet and Social Media (1990s–early 2000s)

# data[].attributes.subject
The Rise of the Internet and Social Media (1990s–early 2000s)

# data[].attributes.body
The rise and widespread use of the internet and early social media platforms before 2008 changed communication, business, and how we access information forever.

Impact on life situations: This shift led to a digital-first world for someone born in 2008. They are the first generation to hardly remember life without the internet and social media. Their social interactions, education, and entertainment are all closely tied to digital platforms.

Impact on opportunities: The internet made information and education more accessible, opening up new learning and career options in the tech industry. However, it also brought challenges like cyberbullying and the effects of social media on mental health, issues that someone born in 2008 would feel strongly.

# data[].attributes.body
Starting a year before they were born, the Great Recession had a direct effect on those born in 2008 during their early years. The recession led to significant job losses and home foreclosures nationwide.

Impact on life situations: Someone born in 2008 is likely to have been raised in a household filled with financial stress due to job loss, underemployment, and challenges in owning a home. This situation can affect a family's financial health and the educational chances for their children. Additionally, the recession is associated with a drop in birth rates, resulting in fewer peers for this generation.

Impact on opportunities: The recession made it harder for many millennials to reach the same life goals and wealth as their parents. A person born in 2008 would have seen these challenges, which might shape their expectations and priorities about jobs and financial stability differently.

# data[].attributes.body
For someone who was born in 2008, the pandemic struck during their important teenage years, leading to a significant change in their education and social interactions.

Impact on life situations: Lockdowns, school closures, and online learning became standard, interrupting their social growth and education. The pandemic created a lot of stress for their families, which can affect their development. Impact on opportunities: The pandemic sped up the shift towards remote work, online learning, and digital communication, which will further shape the job market they will face. Even though their social and academic lives were disrupted, they have also become more flexible in adapting to online environments, which could help them in their careers.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Growing Political and Social Polarization

# data[].attributes.subject
The Growing Political and Social Polarization

# data[].attributes.body
Events like the rise in political division, stronger social justice movements (such as Black Lives Matter), and growing worries about climate change have shaped the political scene since 2008.

Impact on life situations: Someone born in 2008 has grown up seeing major political and social unrest. Topics such as racial inequality, gender identity, and climate change are key to how they view the world and engage politically.

Impact on opportunities: The highly divided atmosphere might result in varied educational and career paths, with more individuals leaning towards social justice, environmental activism, or political advocacy. The political environment is likely to affect public policy decisions on matters like student debt, climate change, and healthcare, which will have a direct impact on their lives as adults.

# data[].attributes.body
This generation is incredibly skilled with technology because they are always using smartphones, fast internet, and social media. The quick progress of artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to change the job market, with some jobs getting automated and new, currently unimaginable positions being formed. Their education and career journey will need them to keep adjusting to new technologies.