If You See A Man With One Painted Fingernail, Here’s What It Means

A trend among men is gaining attention as they appear in public with one painted fingernail, and the reasoning behind it is not just cool but also serves a noble cause. Men are choosing to paint one or more fingernails on each hand, with the color varying from one man to another. While some take it a step further by adding designs on top, the singular meaning behind this trend remains constant. This male-exclusive movement originated in Australia but is now making its way to the United States, thanks to enterprising American men embracing the idea. The genesis of this unique movement can be traced back to Elliot Costello’s journey with a group called Hagar International. During his travels, he met a young girl named Thea, who became the inspiration behind the painted nail movement. Elliot and the group set out to make a difference in Cambodia, aiming to impact the lives of its residents. However, it was the smallest villager, Thea, who left the most significant impression on Elliot. Through engaging with her, he learned about a pervasive issue affecting children worldwide, including the United States, and not just limited to Cambodia. Building a connection with Thea, Elliot discovered her painful history of sexual abuse. In a poignant moment, she painted one of his nails as they discussed her life and struggles, and he reciprocated by painting one of hers.

Vowing to keep the painted nail as a constant reminder of Thea’s suffering, Elliot found renewed motivation to address the issue of sexual abuse against children. This motivation led to the creation of the Polished Man project, challenging men to spend a week painting one fingernail and becoming a #PolishedMan. The singular nail on a hand of five symbolizes the one in five children who will become victims of sexual violence. Polished Man, an organization dedicated to ending sexual violence against children, emphasizes that being a Polished Man involves challenging violent behavior and language both locally and globally. Recognizing that men are responsible for 96% of such violence against children globally, Elliot believes that men must take the lead in creating change to end the abuse of innocent children.

The ultimate goal is not merely for people to notice a man with a painted nail but to initiate conversations about the unfortunate reality of child abuse. Elliot hopes that the painted fingernail becomes a conversation starter, leading to new ideas and perhaps even donations to support educational programs and resources for child survivors of abuse. Share this article with your family and friends to raise awareness about the Polished Man project and its mission to end child sexual violence.