So, word around the parenting community is that a new breed of parents is being singled out and given the nickname the “grups” (or, when combined with the terms yuppie and hipster, the “grupsters.”). Which sounds harmless enough, unless you’re one of these parents and also happen to be a Star Trek fan, in which case it might offend you.

Here’s why: In an episode of Star Trek, the Enterprise landed on a planet that looked just like earth and was ruled by children. The children called the landing grown-ups grups, who they are fearful of and, at first, attacked. It seems that, due to an experiment gone wrong, anyone on the planet who reached puberty died. The term is nerdy, sure. But pointed as well.

These so-called grup parents refuse to grow up themselves, and are called everything from irresponsible to self-indulgent. These parents are the ones with the matching Mommy and me iPods and the alternative baby clothes who are taking their kids to rock concerts. They are the generation, mostly in their 20’s and 30’s, who have decided having children doesn’t mean giving up their hip identity; rather, their child simply becomes a part of it. And, hey, they’re not apologizing for it.

But neither are those parents who believe that bringing children up in a pop-culture centered universe causes them to grow up too quickly while skipping over little things like values and discipline. They claim putting 6 month olds in expensive t-shirts with catchy phrases and bringing them to family music nights at city bars is not the best way to bond with your child. Grups might call these parents uptight.

Maybe one good thing that comes out of this parenting debate movement we’ve seen (grupster vs. traditional, working vs. stay at home, older parents vs. younger parents) is the fact that parents can now be whatever they want to be, designing a style of parenting that suits the demands of their own lifestyles.

While it’s something that will probably be much debated in the coming months, it does seem clear that, despite all of our high hopes, the cool-uncool distinction doesn’t end in high school.

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