Family law consistently gave preference to men. Male children inherited their parents' wealth after their death, and so parents strongly desired to have male children, often at the expense of the care of the females. Men were allowed to have multiple wives, and polygamy was expected if the father had no sons by his other wives.[21] Moreover, the use of a brideprice was common practice in Sudan, making women more of a commodity to her husband rather than a partner.[22] Subsequently, women hold little weight within a marriage.