I had my first cat (about 40 years ago) declawed because 'everyone' said that was the thing to do. I have taken the guilt of that decision with me my whole life. This poor beautiful creature was mutilated and was never the same.
Today, I have a four month old kitten I rescued from the engine of my car. I didn't want a kitten, but she was under one pound and the humane society wouldn't take her until she was at least two pounds. I've named her Lil Orphan Annie, but should have named her Jekyll and Hyde. She can go from loving and cute to an aggressive terror in under two seconds. I will not have her declawed because I won't do that to an animal again. I have a pair of kitty nail clippers and once a week, when she is in her lovable mood and napping on my lap, I trim her front claws. Since I have started this right from the beginning, she doesn't freak out when I do this,and it keeps her claws with the sharp hook that causes so much damage.
Please do not do this to your kitten.