Final answer:
If 50 percent of U.S. children were in poverty, sociologists would deem it a significant social issue, illustrating a severe case of relative poverty and highlighting broader economic disparities and their impact on children.
Step-by-step explanation:
If 50 percent of children were in poverty in the United States, sociologists would conclude that child poverty is a significant social issue. In the context of the United States, poverty is often measured relatively, meaning it's compared to the living standards of the general population. Relative poverty refers to the inability to live the lifestyle of the average person in the country, indicating these children's families have incomes substantially below the median for the society in which they live.
It is important to note that in the US, the poverty rate has fluctuated over time. However, in no recent decade has the poverty rate fallen below 10.5% of the U.S. population. This data indicates that at its best, nearly one in nine Americans lives below the poverty line. If the proportion were to reach 50%, this would signify a grave situation, highlighting the feminization of poverty, impact of single-parent households, and economic disparities that are affecting the nation's children disproportionately.