I don't think you should lie either.
If the couch or a couple pieces of furniture are the only reason they want the kitten declawed, give them back to your parents. Buy yourself a few pieces of used furniture in the classifieds or at a thrift store. If their only reason for wanting it done is to keep their thumb on you, well... At some point you will have to make a decision whether that kind of behaviour on their part is going to be allowed to continue. When you draw that line can have significant consequenses, so make sure you choose the right place and time.
It would kill me to do this and I would probably only do it as a last resort, but it's another option. If they won't relent, consider placing your kitten in a home with someone you know will be a good parent and adopt an already declawed cat or kitten from the shelter. For some reason there always seems to be quite of few of them there.
At least that might allow you to continue your education at their expense without mutilating the kitten, while providing a home for another cat.
If the couch or a couple pieces of furniture are the only reason they want the kitten declawed, give them back to your parents. Buy yourself a few pieces of used furniture in the classifieds or at a thrift store. If their only reason for wanting it done is to keep their thumb on you, well... At some point you will have to make a decision whether that kind of behaviour on their part is going to be allowed to continue. When you draw that line can have significant consequenses, so make sure you choose the right place and time.
It would kill me to do this and I would probably only do it as a last resort, but it's another option. If they won't relent, consider placing your kitten in a home with someone you know will be a good parent and adopt an already declawed cat or kitten from the shelter. For some reason there always seems to be quite of few of them there.