Prefects, Headboys and Headgirls in Real Life

[Morgan D.]

None of the schools where I studied had anything similar to Prefects, 
Headboys or Headgirls. So I read the HP books and have no idea why 
they exist, what they're supposed to do, or why would anyone want to 
wear those badges. 

All I see them doing in the books is leading the first-years to the 
dorms and repressing the rule-breakers. Now, in my experience, 
telling on your schoolmates doesn't make you very popular among them. 
A student with the power to take points from the others? Sounds even 
worse. I'd expect Prefects, Headboys and Headgirls to be seen with 
mistrust and maybe even hostility by their schoolmates, possibly 
losing some friends. So unless you're a natural rules-MUST-be-obeyed 
freak (Percy, Hermione), it doesn't sound like a job anyone would 
welcome. So there must be something in it to make it appealing to the 
students. 

So, my question for anyone here who studied or teach in schools with 
hierarchical systems similar to Hogwarts': what do those selected 
students do? what is their range of authority? what are their tasks 
and how are they rewarded? how does the selection affect the chosen 
ones' relationship with the teachers and the others students? is the 
selection a refusable honour? do students refuse it sometimes?

Thanks,

Morgan D.
Hogwarts Letters - http://www.hogwartsletters.hpg.com.br