Not dorks or dweebs — though she really doesn’t mind those terms if they mean studious, authentic, sincere.

In Marybeth Hicks’s parenting world, “geeks” stands for “genuine, enthusiastic, empowered kids.” She doesn’t mind if the acronym sounds cute. Just don’t call it cool.

Cool is killing our kids’ spirits, she says. Trapping them in an empty media-driven culture. Making them grow up too fast, too jaded … too cool.

This hour, On Point: Marybeth Hicks and “bringing up geeks.”

How are you raising your kids? Are you protecting their innocence? Their geek side? Or throwing them into the pool of what’s cool? Do we have to choose? Join the conversation and tell us what you think.

- Tom Ashbrook

* * *

Guests:

Marybeth Hicks, family columnist for The Washington Times and author of “Bringing Up Geeks: How to Protect Your Kid’s Childhood in a Grow-Up-Too-Fast World.” (You can read an excerpt at the book’s website.)

Stefanie Ilgenfritz, deputy editor of The Wall Street Journal’s Personal Journal section. She writes for the section’s blog “The Juggle” about juggling work and family life.