It doesn't need to be. Furthermore, I don't think any/many homeschool parents would advocate that it should be the only alternative to public school. Right now, there are dozens of educational options available to parents from the most hands off (public school) to the most hands on (homeschooling) and everything in between (charter schools, Montessori, Waldorf, part-time school, no school, etc.). Each parent should at least look at the options available to them and make a decision based on their own circumstances and goals for their children, family, and themselves. At the same time, respect the decisions that others make that may not look like the decision that you make.