You know, by the time I was in 8th grade, I was actually starting to form my political views, many of which I got from my Grandparents who were conservative and very pro union (this was in the late 70's/early 80's). They got me started in paying attention to what happens in this country, and when I got into my mid 20's, my political views were cemented in place, and I decided I was an independent.
Hate to tell you people, but most 8th graders are more socially and politically aware than people of my generation were, and a lot of it is because of social media.