The Deeper Significance
Men have been catching attention with a single painted fingernail on one hand. It may seem like a passing fad, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. This seemingly simple act actually carries a significant and meaningful message that everyone should know about.
More and more well-known men in America are coming together to paint their nails, specifically one nail. Celebrities like Zac Efron, Liam Hemsworth, and Chris Hemsworth proudly showcase their painted nails to support the Polished Man project. This movement aims to raise awareness about the shocking statistic that one in five children worldwide experience physical and/or sexual violence before they turn 18. By painting a nail, these men are standing up for the countless innocent children affected by abuse.
The spark that ignited this movement came from a heartfelt encounter. Elliot Costello, the brain behind the Polished Man project, met a young girl named Thea while volunteering with Hagar International in Cambodia. This encounter opened his eyes to the widespread issue of child abuse, which knows no borders and affects children all over the globe, including in America.
As Elliot got to know Thea, he found joy in engaging in activities that brought happiness to her life. For Thea, painting nails was a source of delight. In a beautiful and powerful moment, Elliot painted one of Thea’s nails, and she reciprocated by painting one of his. Little did they know that this simple act would hold so much significance.
Thea revealed to Elliot that she had been sexually abused. Touched by her pain, Elliot made a promise to always keep that painted nail, symbolizing her suffering, as a reminder. This touching experience inspired Elliot to create the Polished Man project, urging men to become a #PolishedMan by painting one fingernail for a week. This single painted nail represents the one in five children who tragically become victims of sexual violence in their lives.
The Polished Man’s website highlights that being a #PolishedMan means challenging violent behavior and language, both locally and globally. Elliot realized the vital role that men play in putting an end to child abuse, as 96 percent of such violence worldwide is committed by males.
The ultimate goal is not just to notice a brightly colored nail on a man’s hand and briefly acknowledge the alarming number of children enduring abuse each day. Instead, Elliot aims for the painted nail to spark conversations and create a deep awareness of this grim reality. Through these conversations, new ideas for ending child abuse can emerge, and hopefully, they can generate donations to support educational programs and resources for child survivors of abuse.
The Polished Man campaign is gaining traction. It is our hope that you will soon come across more men proudly displaying a strikingly colored nail in your town. If you encounter someone rocking this style, take a moment to ask them about it. And if you’re a man, consider painting one of your nails as a tribute to all the voiceless children fighting for their safety and innocence. Just the sight of your nail might brighten their day and let them know they are not forgotten.
