Define professional. I do not have a teaching degree, yet I teach. I have certification only.
You teach, therefore you are a teacher, therefore you are not a professional either by your own standards.
I am sure that you did a fine job homeschooling your own children, and I am 100% for that. You have a right to do what is best for your children, but blatantly calling we who teach "not really *professionals*" is ironic, considering you must lump yourself into that same field by virtue of teaching.
Tell me, what would have happened to the young man who was born to a crack mother, had he not been adopted and placed into a public school? I can provide you the link to this story here on FR if you would like. Last I heard he is an attorney now.
I think part of the problem comes in when parents look at their own child whom they home-schooled and say "Hey, I did a great job! This wasn't that hard - anyone can do this!" and to a point, they are right. Pretty much anyone with normal intelligence, a modicum of patience, and good resources can teach the average to above-average child or small group of children the basics and even further. This is especially true with families where the bonds are tight and the parent/teacher is loved and respected by the child. Metmom, I have no doubt that you did an outstanding job with homeschooling your kids. I would imagine you could have doubled the amount you taught and still did a great job. My best 'teaching' has come from my 1 - 1 tutoring and when I've been able to structure my day to work in very small groups. A lot can get done when an adult can devote a lot of attention.
The problems come in when the group is expanded to 20/25, with motivated learners, unmotivated learners, non-English speakers, different SES groups, learning disabled, children who disrespect their parents, and transfer that to all authority figures, and children that walk through the door who witnessed some horror I don't want to picture, but have had to hear about when the child breaks down in my class sobbing. (and trust me, I get them to the counselor as fast as I can - to someone better trained than I to deal with traumas). It is when one is confronted with this type of diverse group with diverse needs that professionalism kicks in because good teachers go back day after day to try to get those kids on grade level so that they can pass the tests the state tells us they must pass to graduate, teach them to be good citizens and try our best to pass on moral values. It's hard and it doesn't get easier year by year. And Lord, Lord, don't get me started on administration. I've heard of great principals and I believe they exist, I'd just like to work for one.
I personally don't get too concerned about whether or not I'm a "professional." I'm a teacher and that's enough of a title for me.
“Tell me, what would have happened to the young man who was born to a crack mother, had he not been adopted and placed into a public school?”
Your argument is a sound one, but only to a point. I do not argue for the complete closure of the government schools, because I recognize that they are the necessary educators of last resort for those who would not get an education otherwise. Government schools are needed, in much the same way that lunatic asylums and prisons are needed.
That does not mean that government schools should be the educators of first, second, or even third resort. There are far better alternatives to be found in private schools and home education.