Final answer:
Individuals who are unable to afford life's basic necessities such as food and shelter are said to be absolutely poor. Absolute poverty represents economic hardship where basic needs are unmet, unlike relative poverty, which is measured against the standard living conditions within a society.
Step-by-step explanation:
If someone does not earn enough money to pay for the essentials of life he or she is said to be absolutely poor. Absolute poverty is an economic condition where individuals or families are unable to afford the basic necessities, such as food, shelter, clean water, and healthcare. This is in contrast to relative poverty, which is more common in developed countries like the United States, where it refers to the inability to maintain the average standard of living.
In-depth, when people lose their jobs, especially during a recession or due to shifts in the job market, finding new employment can be challenging and the new jobs may pay lower wages or offer only part-time work. This situation can lead to poverty, with some individuals becoming part of the working poor, even when being employed for at least 27 weeks, as defined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the United States, the working poor are those who are still below the poverty line despite employment, and this status can be influenced by factors such as part-time work, lower educational levels, and having dependents.