Final answer:
Relative poverty is a state where people can afford necessities but cannot meet the society's average standard of living, while absolute poverty refers to the inability to afford basic necessities. Poverty in the United States is mostly relative poverty, meaning individuals and families struggle to live at the same level as the average person in the country.
Step-by-step explanation:
Relative poverty is a state of living where people can afford necessities but are unable to meet their society's average standard of living. Absolute poverty, on the other hand, refers to the inability to afford basic necessities such as food, water, housing, and healthcare. In the United States, poverty is most often referred to as relative poverty, meaning that individuals and families may have their basic needs met, but still struggle to live at the same level as the average person in the country.