What does this sentence mean?

Question

the ideal imagined self she desires to be is that model of capable, caring womanhood mirrored to her in the person of her only permitted companions

Answer 1

Basically, the person she THINKS that she desires to be is the "capable and caring woman" because that is what she sees.  She desires those traits in which she is told are good.  She dedires traits because this is what is shown to her. " Mirrored to her."  However, she does not come ot these conclusions of her own free thinking.  She is, ina way told what is desirable because these woman are her "permitted" friends.