Is YA too graphic?

Piggy-backing the topic on Wednesday, I started wondering if YA was becoming too graphic.  Now, I've only read a few YA books since I hang in the middle grade section more often than not.  I had read WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr a few years ago.  It was okay, but I didn't think it was 'all that'.  So when I was talking to the older sister (12) of my kidlet's friends, she mentioned that she needed to do a book report on a current novel.  I said I had one that she might like.
When I took the book over to their house, I felt obligated to inform the mother about the level of sexuality in the book.  Yes, I did mention that they got to second base.  It was up to the mother to decide whether or not she allowed her daughter to read the story. 
She did. 
The daughter got an A.

The B&N clerk, as I mentioned, was in her mid-twenties and she described one of YA's biggest seller's books as 'nasty'.  And I asked if it was very graphic--her answer was yes, too graphic and sexual.  Which brings me to the question, who monitors the type of stuff that goes for YA these days?
--editors?
--publishers?
--authors?
--or, my best guess, none of the above. 
--I've seen second graders carting around TWILIGHT.  And no, I don't think it's age appropriate, but it's the responsibility of the parent to . . . well, parent. 
--I've seen girls who were in their tweens (12-14) shopping in the YA section.  Normally, that wouldn't bother me, but now I'm wondering about what exactly they are picking up to read.

How graphic should the author write/editor edit/publisher buy for YA?

 . . . well, publishers only look at the bottom line.  They don't give a rat's patootie about morality.  All they want to do is make a profit.  And if writing stories that feature a 16-19 yo sells, then they want to make as much money as possible. So adding sex to the mix increases the odds of selling well.

So who oversees morality if not the parent?  The problem arises when the parents don't read or acknowledge what the child is reading.
 
True, it's a parent's job to teach their child right from wrong, etc. but many parents don't bother doing their job and expect someone else to do it for them.  And yes, I've mentioned this before, but I wonder if there should be some warning labels for some books.  Or will it simply make the teen go out of their way to acquire the 'naughty' stuff--like they do with nasty lyrics in music, or graphic nature of some video games.

I don't advocate the morality police charging in and taking a hatchet to all the published material out there, but maybe there needs to be a line drawn somewhere. 

The person to draw the line has to start with the author.  Look at HARRY POTTER.  It was originally published as a middle grade story, but all ages have read and enjoyed the book--AND THE MOST GRAPHIC SCENE IS A KISS. 

I've said it before and I'll stick by it--A good book is a good book.

I'm quite happy writing middle grade, but when I wrote TROLL something surprised me.  My 11 yo character noticed a young male elf, and I wondered if I was pushing the envelope with her awareness
--but then my kidlet (9) saw this face shot of Hugh Jackman and said, "Whoa, he's hot."

What can a mom do?

I had to agree.

I guess my little problem in TROLL is a moot point.

Write on!